Chapter 12: Jude

I didn't have a lot of friends, and those I did were homebodies. I should be embarrassed that as a senior in high school, my weekends consisted of music and books; although I wasn't. It might not be the "in" thing now, but it would serve me well later in life. I'd gotten a text from Ethan that he and Carson were playing video games tonight if I wanted to join them. I wasn't sure if my sentence had been commuted, or if it extended through the weekend. Instead of asking, I opted to stay in.

The light knock stirred me from the pages of the book in my hand, and I glanced up to see Portia entering without an invitation. "What's up?"

She came in and closed the door behind her. "Just wanted to see what you were up to."

I held up the novel. "Reading."

"Do you want to watch a movie or something? Talk? Tell me why you've been on an angry rampage?"

"Subtle."

She chuckled. "Hensley and Ernie are worried. They thought I'd have more luck than they have. You know I don't beat around the