Text Message to Eddie

[Jude Sheffield]

Jude was sorely disappointed when after she basically shoved the notion that she really liked him in that little kiss all Eddie said was thanks and blush. She hid her disappointment well though as she laughed while Eddie pulled her down to the beach. Him kicking off his sandals made her do the same immediately and follow him into the water.

At one point, her hand left Eddie's and she bent down to scoop up a bit of water and splashed it on him even though it was freezing cold. She laughed a little at Eddie's expression before running off so that he couldn't catch her. She supposed it shouldn't surprise her how much she was able to cover up her emotions as her whole body seemed to help her disguise how she was really feeling inside. She was an actress after all.

"Would be so much more fun with water guns." She called out to Eddie with a laugh that sounded strained in her ears. Just as long as it didn't carry out to Eddie, she was fine. Why was she so hung up on what Eddie thought? Why was she so invested in being so close with Eddie? Sure, he was really darn cute but she couldn't be that superficial, could she? Sure, he was sweet and charming and such a nice guy...

Was it because he was the first guy who really paid attention to her? Could the reason be that she was that starved for human contact that she had misinterpreted his signals for the same thing she was feeling for him? Things don't go quite so well if you like someone so fast. At least that was what her girlfriends back home had told her verbally or by how they went through boys.

Was he worth all the pain Jude had seen her friends go through when the boys they were supposedly in love with break their hearts? Wait...was she even in love with Eddie? Oh this was all too confusing. She shook her head of those thoughts lest she became too depressed that it showed in her face and actually waited until Eddie caught her.

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

Eddie led the pair towards the water's edge, sand flying into the air behind them. Eddie didn't take the time to consider how warm the water would be, however, and the second his foot plunged into the chilly ocean he immediately jumped back. Jude's hand had left his, and before he knew it he was delivered a large splash of water. A scream nearly escaped his lips, but he managed to hold it back by contorting his face and gritting his teeth. The water was cold! Granted it was winter, but Eddie's naive view of L.A. generally included appropriately warm water all year round.

Jude had dashed off, a sure sign that she wanted to be chased. Eddie gave in; he was having much to much fun with this girl not to oblige. He heard her yell something back about water, but the crashing of the waves drowned out most of her sentence. Eddie simply grinned back and laughed as he slowly gained on the girl. She was quick, and at least seemed like she was no stranger to physical activity. It would be a real turn off if Jude was too indoors-y.

She slowed to dodge him, but it was obvious her heart was more into being caught than escaping. Eddie reached out, his arms enveloping the girl. He lifted her up, spinning her around a little before placing her back down on the sand. She was now very close to him, face to face, and Eddie realized he had accidentally put himself in the perfect position to kiss her. His mind started racing, firing through all his regular questions again, but he also couldn't help but grin widely. A part of him knew a kiss was inevitable, but that didn't stop his brain from trying to apply the brakes.

He hesitated, giving himself one last moment to save the pair the potential heartache of a relationship likely to fail at some point. It felt to Eddie as if it were eons before he finally leaned in, his eyes slowly closing. As their lips pressed together, he could only hope she didn't notice the hesitation. The kiss was sweet, chaste. It just seemed like the right way to kiss a girl like Jude. As he slowly pulled back, his eyes met hers and he smiled again. Not sure what to say, he simply whispered, “Hi.”

[Jude Sheffield]

Once Eddie caught up to her, she had expected anything but the pick up and the sudden twirling. She couldn't help but emit a squeak and delirious laughter at the moment they were sharing. Just like it was plucked out of a romantic movie when two lovers finally meet after a short montage of months or years passing by between them. it made Jude's heart race and when he finally put her down, she could barely feel the sand under her bare feet as they were face to face, their lips so close together that it really was inevitable that they kissed.

But it still didn't prepare her for it when Eddie finally gave Jude her very first kiss. She unconsciously gripped the front of his shirt tight in her fists, pulling him close. And just as the kiss started, it ended way too quickly in Jude's opinion. Despite the short period of the kiss, Jude was still breathless when Eddie pulled away. Her cheeks flushed brightly when the simple hi and a smile came from Eddie. It was no question how she was feeling at that point. All she wanted to do stay in his arms.

Her hand let go of his bunched up shirt and slid up to cup his cheeks, her thumb slowly caressing the skin under it. "You...have no idea how much I've wanted you to do that." She whispered softly. Just then, thunder clapped seemingly right over them and Jude screamed out loud, wrapping her arms around Eddie tightly. Nonsensical words streamed out of her mouth as her heart raced even faster than before. She wasn't afraid of thunder or anything pertaining to the rain, as a matter of fact she loved it. But that just seemed way too close for her liking.

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

Eddie had no time to respond to Jude before a rumble of thunder caused her to press up against him tightly. He did not complain. Within an instant, tiny drops of rain began trickling down onto the pair. It felt warm to Eddie, but anything compared to the chill of that ocean water would feel like a sauna. He looked up, squinting into the sky as the drops pattered on his face, holding Jude close. He took a moment to reflect that this may be the most romantic moment of his life.

The rain increased, however, and Eddie knew if they didn't make it back to the shelter soon they would get drenched. He looked down at Jude again, ready to beckon her to come along with him. Her eyes met his, and he could not resist one last kiss in the rain. Their lips met again, and Eddie could feel the rain fall across his face, and he felt the splatter from it doing the same to Jude. Her hair was drenched, and Eddie felt it hang down over his arm as he moved a hand to the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him. Lightning flickered over the ocean, though it went unnoticed by Eddie.

Eddie pulled away as thunder crashed once again. Both teens were dripping from head to toe, but Eddie couldn't imagine a more perfect moment. “We better go,” he said, his voice barely audible over the dull roar of the rain. He slipped his hand down her back and to her arm, not wanting to lose a moment of contact with her, then pulled her along with him as he began running towards the shelter.

They reached their destination, wetter than ever, dripping all about the small pavilion. Eddie picked his hooded sweatshirt up off the picnic table, the only dry article of clothing left between the pair. “Here,” he panted, still a little winded from the sprint. “I won't look if you wanna change your shirt.” The moment had passed, but Eddie was still a gentleman. He walked to the edge of the shelter, flip flops in hand, and let the rain rinse off the excess sand before placing the plastic thongs on his feet. The entire time, he strongly fought the urge to peek back at Jude. He was, after all, a teenage boy.

Awaiting an okay from Jude to turn back around, Eddie pulled off his wet t-shirt and did his best to wring it out. It felt lighter, but seemed just as wet. “Well,” he called back to Jude, laughter in his voice, “so much for the beach. What do you wanna do now?”

[Jude Sheffield]

Jude buried her face on Eddie's shoulder and sighed. The rain started to fall down and Jude started to blush when the moment reminded her once again of a romantic movie. She was about to be a part of the most romantic moment in her life and it was with the sweetest and kindest guy she had ever met. What she had done in her past life to deserve it, she thanked that past life for giving her a really good life now.

When she felt Eddie move, she looked up and laughed lightly at how wet Eddie looked and she wondered what she must look like. Then the kiss happened. Of course Jude knew that real life didn't come with a soaring music score or a random fireworks display in the background but the rain's steady patter all around them and the occasional lightning were close enough to it probably being Jude's most favourite moment ever.

What movies never reflect on in these kinds of scenes was the huge bout of emotions the participants felt but Jude felt them all. She felt like she was floating in space, looking down at her and Eddie right then. Her whole body tingled when Eddie's hand moved around to the back of her neck to pull her closer. It seemed like forever as she slowly melted into his arms, feeling her legs turn into jelly with that simple act.

The next crashing thunder didn't even register in Jude's head as they parted once more. This time she didn't think it was too short. It just felt so dizzying and she barely heard Eddie through the rain. Before she knew it, they were running to the shelter again. Eddie's offer of his hoodie was refused at first but Eddie had already turned around so she quickly wrung her hair as dry as she could before taking off her dress and quickly pulling the hoodie over her head. She voiced an okay for Eddie to turn back only to find him shirtless.

She stifled what could have been a little gasp since the last time she saw a half naked boy standing right in front of her was when she was seven and that was during a kiddie pool party and he was wearing swimming trunks and had shoved her in the pool. Eddie didn't look like those crazy male models with a sixteen pack on their stomach but he did look a bit lean and Jude did her best to look away only to turn back when he addressed her.

As the hoodie was just slightly big for her, the sleeves had to be pulled up to her forearms. Although she did pull it down as she reached across to Eddie and started patting his face and neck down to his body to dry him up. "We could just wait this rain out. I did say I wanted to get to know you better." She shrugged with a little smile in the corner of her mouth. "Which should probably start off with the most basic. Do you like chocolate ice cream?" She was surprised that she sounded normal despite her racing heart.

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

At Jude's call, Eddie turned back around while he finished wringing out his shirt. He didn't think much of it, as years in the theatre made him comfortable changing around both boys and girls. It didn't occur to him that Jude might not feel the same way until the look of surprise when he turned. She recovered quickly, though, and moved closer to dry him off a bit with the hoodie. Her hands sent shivers up his body, even though they were covered by the thick cotton.

Then she spoke, and Eddie froze. There was that phrase again, “get to know you better.” And this time, it was while her hands were all over him. Kissing was one thing, but he wasn't sure going all the way would be a good idea. It started him thinking, and perhaps kissing again might not be a good idea. Was the sweet, innocent bit all an act? She did say she was an actress. How many guys had she seduced with her coy smile?

Eddie pulled away from Jude, trying to make it appear casual, but it was apparent he was suddenly nervous. “Uhh, yeah, I uh, I guess I like chocolate ice cream. I'm guessing you do to?” He pulled his shirt back on, unsure what to do next. As much as he liked Jude, he wasn't sure what secrets she had. She might turn out to be just like Jessie.

[Jude Sheffield]

She wasn't sure what she was doing wrong that made Eddie suddenly pull away but Jude acted like it didn't faze her as much as it actually did. Was she ruining things between them? If she was, what the heck was she doing to ruin things? It had gone so perfectly before! She ignored the sudden squeeze around her heart when Eddie put his shirt back on. Did he want to get pneumonia doing that?

Her thoughts strayed and went to the fact that maybe Eddie was playing with her. He was an actor after all. He got a leading role, that meant for something. Maybe she got things all wrong. The kiss was just to lead her on. And those times when Eddie went all hot and cold...maybe he liked being chased by girls. And she was the perfect target too. Naive and unassuming Jude Sheffield who got her first kiss at the age of sixteen.

It was funny how actors could easily play a role when scripted but in real life, it was just too hard to play an emotion. It took her a bit to strum up a decent unquivering smile and enthusiastic nod at the question fired back at her. "It's my favourite. Like...just plain chocolate. Although the variations are pretty good too. I think I like Ben and Jerry's best." She pulled her arms around her, hugging herself both to try and warm herself up and also to shield herself from Eddie.

Maybe this was his thing. This whole charmingly sweet and endearing bit. God, he had her good. "Favourite colour? Mine's rainbow." She said with strained laughter in her voice.

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

Eddie hated himself at the moment. As hard as she tried to hide it, it was obvious he had hurt Jude's feelings. He was so torn between his head and his heart. Why couldn't it just be simple and easy! He knew getting together with Jude was a bad idea, though why it was lost more and more logic by the second. He could see Jude, huddled up in his hoodie, trying her best to smile and ignore the fact that Eddie had been kissing her one second, then horribly distant the next. He didn't want to be a jerk to her, but he also didn't want to hurt her, or get hurt in return. He just had to...

“Rainbow's not a color!” he blurted, laughter in his voice. He had been so caught off guard by that absurdity that everything in his head fell away. This girl was cute, unbearably cute. Eddie knew he had to date her. “I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. That's just... that's funny.” He smiled, crossing back over to the pretty girl in his sweatshirt. It didn't fit her, but it looked right to him.

“Okay,” he said, forgetting Jude's question. “So I gotta come clean.” Eddie swallowed, nervous about jumping into all this with Jude so soon. If he didn't, he knew someone would get hurt. It was only fair that Jude knew about Jessie and how she had messed Eddie up in the head. “I like you. I like you a lot.” He took a moment to think of how to say what he was about to say without sounding cruel. “I just... I'm not sure us, you know, us, is a good idea.” Eddie reached down, taking Jude's hands in his.

“Before I moved here, I dated this girl, Jessie, for a long time and it didn't end well, at all.” Eddie decided to skip the details, something he had told Brittany. Perhaps Brit seemed more like a friend after all. Eddie made a mental note to think about that later. But for now, he needed focus. “Since her, I just, I don't know what I want. I mean, I want you, but I don't want to hurt you, and to be completely honest I'm terrified that you might hurt me. You seem real nice, just the cutest and sweetest girl ever, but things change.” Eddie was starting to feel frustrated at himself. It was stupid, even thinking about dating this girl. After hearing all this crap, there was no way she would want to date him, he was all banged up inside. He slowly let Jude's hands drop back to her side, then took a few steps back before turning away.

“I'm sorry, Jude. I really am. You deserve way better...” Lighting flashed, followed by a rumble of thunder. If Eddie wanted to leave, he was going to get drenched. He had put himself in a terrible place, and for the time being it seemed he had no escape.

[Jude Sheffield]

She was temporarily relieved when Eddie suddenly blurted out her slight. It was true. Rainbow wasn't a colour. It was an amalgamation of colours. But Jude wasn't going to let him win. Besides, if she was able to keep his laughter at her expense then so be it. At least he wasn't being distant. But the reassurance that he wasn't laughing at her appeased her a little. "Rainbow is too a colour!" she replied indignantly even though she knew the battle was lost on her part.

The sudden seriousness Eddie portrayed kind of scared Jude. Was this the time he was going to say that it just wasn't going to work out? It wouldn't surprise her. He had been hot and cold the whole time they've seen each other. She wasn't used to chasing guys; her experience with them were zero to none, so maybe what she had been doing was all so wrong. The moment of truth seemed just seconds away.

When Eddie took her hand, she froze and for a second she hesitated. She didn't want him to touch her for fear that she would again fall for his charm that seemed so endless and so effortless but at the same time, it just felt right him touching her. It just reminded her of the kiss they had shared just minutes ago. But the words that accompanied the hand holding made her heart squeeze in itself. She could feel tiny pricks all over her chest area. This really was it. Eddie liked her...but it just wasn't enough.

His compliment was left unheard and all Jude could think of was running out into the rain, into her car and driving off so Eddie couldn't see the tears that were just ready to burst out from her eyes. The whole ex-girlfriend thing just didn't seem to matter to Jude to be honest. If love hurt that much then it just wasn't worth getting into...right?
So why did all of this coming from him make Jude want Eddie even more? Was it to prove to Eddie that she wasn't this Jessie? That she wouldn't break his heart the way the last girl did? She sounded downright mean and Jude knew that she wasn't that type of girl.

Jude pulled her hand under her arm when Eddie let go. She winced at his last words and another wince appeared when the thunder sounded. She tried hiding her trembling lips by biting on to them. Frankly, she couldn't think of anything to say that might remedy the situation. And she couldn't very well just leave Eddie in the rain. It looked like it was going to be a while until the rain was going to stop.

She needed to pick up the courage she knew she had in her to let this moment pass. If he didn't want her as a girlfriend, it was fine by her. Well...not fine...heart breaking more like. Well, gut-wrenching to be exact. But it wasn't the end of the world. She realised that. Not every relationship had to end up in a couple. Friendships were bonds that were hard to sever, weren't they? Jude had a lot of guy friends and although Eddie was definitely more than a friend, at least to her, she just had to suck it up and act like he was one. A friend. It couldn't be that hard could it?

Ignoring the bout of tears that were threatening to spill from her, she plastered on the biggest smile she could muster and moved closer to him and patted his hand. "You don't know what I deserve, Eddie to be honest." She said without thinking. "But then again...who does?" The smile faltered slightly before she picked it up again and gripped his hand tight in hers. "Look...from where I'm standing, we can either put a stop to whatever this is and I leave you here in the pouring rain or I could drive us to a cafe and we get some hot cocoa and better shelter than here and try to be friends." She was aching inside and she wanted to cry out for Eddie to just get over his fear of being hurt and just be with her.

Not that she was going to tell Eddie that of course.

"So..." She straightened herself up and looked at Eddie with the smile that should have won her an Oscar for best actress. "Your call, buddy."

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

Buddy. Could he be a buddy?

Eddie looked up at Jude. The girl was beautiful. She was fun, she was nice, and she was a million other things that Eddie didn't even know about but he was sure he would like. She might also be a million things that he wouldn't like, and at the moment, Eddie was too scared to take any chances. He also knew, however, it would be nearly impossible to just be friends with this girl.

“Jude, I didn't come here today to kiss you, or to tell you how much I like you. I just came here to be your friend.” Eddie turned away from the girl, hoping to hide the pain on his face. He was an idiot, he knew that. “I think if we were friends, just friends, I don't know if I could keep myself from wanting to kiss you, wanting to hold your hand. I think just being your friend wouldn't work.” He stared out into the rain, the heavens weeping for the pair. Eddie wasn't a religious guy really, but he could understand the symbolism.

He knew he should probably just leave, walk out into the rain, catch a bus, go home. He looked back hopefully at Jude, wishing she could promise him everything would be okay. Something about her wouldn't let him leave, so he just stood, hoping for some words that could fix the situation. If only he could go back in time and change things so that he remained blissfully unaware of the pain girls could cause, and put back together the pieces of his heart.