Jude Saves the World by Ronnie Riley

Author:Ronnie Riley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

I give Mei a whole tray of Mom’s brownies on Friday morning and ask if she’ll drop me off at the public library after school. I unfold the note I asked Mom to write. Mei eyes it, then the brownies, and gives me a wink. “Sure thing, Jude. Anything for my favorite student.”

“I knew it!” I tease, and she lets out a full-belly laugh.

I can’t help but think of my grandparents—and the way they never laugh like that. Nan and Pops don’t have any clue how angry I am at them. I’m exhausted; I don’t want to pretend that nothing’s wrong anymore.

It’s like they think we solved our issues … by not talking about anything? Yeah, right, Nan. Try again. It’s not my fault she just pretends I never brought up how she keeps making excuses for Pops. They teach us in school that talking helps, talking resolves things, talking is better than your fists, talking is better than using insults. Blah, blah, blah.

But then, Mom doesn’t want me to talk about being queer. My grandmother doesn’t want to talk about my grandfather being a jerk. And maybe if Dallas’s parents would talk to each other nicely, they could sort something out. If talking really solves all problems, why aren’t the adults doing it?

When I sit down beside Dallas, he holds up his old iPod. He’s listening to Adele this morning, and I have no idea why. It’s not like he’s ever had his heart broken before.

“Hey,” I mouth.

He gives me a nod and waits for his song to finish. “Hey.”

• • •

At school, Stevie’s wearing her hair pin straight again and a baby-pink skirt. It’s been almost a week since our disaster of a sleepover, and it’s still familiar and unfamiliar all at once. She’s back to texting nonstop during English class, but I can’t bring myself to be annoyed about it. I’ve been trying my best to avoid her, so of course, she walks past us without making eye contact.

Dallas and I share a sullen smile as I shut my locker.

“That was … yeah.” I can’t even bring myself to say words.

“I know what you mean,” he says. I’m glad because I’m not even sure I know what I mean.

We settle into our usual table in the cafeteria and start talking about the latest Robin Hood update. It’s an expanded retelling of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. My attention wavers when Dallas starts in on his usual rave about his favorite character.

“… And you just know he’s gonna do it.”

“Stevie! Stand up straight, and get over here!”

The sound of Tessa’s voice piques my interest, and I nudge Dallas to pay attention.

Stevie visibly straightens, squaring her shoulders, and walks briskly past our table toward Tessa. “Sorry, I—”

“No excuses, just hurry up,” Tessa barks. She turns on her heel and walks toward her usual table. Stevie doesn’t hesitate to follow.

“She looks miserable,” Dallas comments quietly.

“Yeah, well, maybe she deserves it.”

“Jude, you can’t be serious,” he says, giving me a disapproving look.

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