Page 33 of His Untoward Hate

“Y-eah. You are handsome, Jasper,” Jude admitted nervously.

Jude could not look straight at Jasper’s eyes.

“Don’t belittle yourself, Jude,” Jasper said, not letting the awkwardness creep in further. “You have qualities that people admire about you, and you don’t even know that because you’re too humble,” Jasper continued.

The words sent warmth and joy into his heart.

“Yeah, I definitely agree. I idolize you because you’re too smart, idiot!” Czyra said, which made Jude chuckle a bit.

Jasper, on the other hand, laughed the loudest.

“Let’s be honest, these subjects barely challenge you. You could snooze through the lecture and still ace it.” She made a check mark in the air with her hand before flipping the thick curls resting on her shoulders. “The next day, the results came out. Perfect score! A hundred out of a hundred for Jude Finn!”

Jasper burst into a fit of laughter. It was the way she delivered everything, paired with her exaggerated gestures and expressions, which made it even funnier. Jude tried not to laugh very much because of the people around them, and whenever he did, he quickly covered his mouth.

Jude was so focused on their conversation that he did not hear the growing murmurs around him.

“Why are they sitting together?”

“Omg! Why is Jasper Granger sitting with the faggot?”

“Are they already friends?”

“Aren’t they rivals?”

“The nerds are having their quarterly meeting.”

Halfway through laughing, Jude realized something. Despite all the unpleasant things happening in his life lately, he had been smiling more often. Maybe it was because of Jasper. Being around him made Jude feel at ease, comfortable enough to be himself. He even found himself talking more than usual, something he rarely did with other people.

“And of course, you’re too kind, and you’re cute,” Jude’s cheeks flushed even more. “Especially when you blush, just like that,” she pointed at him.

“T-hanks for your words, Czyra,” Jude said and smiled sheepishly, wanting to divert the subject.

Thankfully, a waiter arrived to deliver Jasper and Czyra’s lunch orders. After the server finished and walked away, both of them turned their attention to Jude.

“I’ll order something for you, too, Jude. What do you want?” Jasper asked.

“No need, Jasper. I brought my own lunch. Thanks,” Jude replied with a timid smile.

Jude reached into his shoulder bag and pulled out his lunchbox. Jasper and Czyra quietly watched as he placed it on the table. He gently set his transparent water bottle aside before opening the container that held his spoon and fork. Then he removed the lid of a silver Tupperware, revealing a simple meal of white rice, an omelet, and sliced apples on the side. The sight of it brought a soft smile to Jude’s face.

“Let’s eat,” he said innocently.

“Y-yeah, let’s eat,” Czyra responded awkwardly.

It was the first time she had seen a fellow student bring a homemade packed lunch to school. Just as Czyra was about to take a spoonful of food, Jude suddenly spoke.

“Can we have a quick prayer first, guys?”

Czyra paused midway and slowly lowered her spoon and fork back onto her plate.

“Y-yeah, of course,” she replied with an awkward smile.

Jude closed his eyes to say grace while Jasper and Czyra exchanged glances before quietly watching him pray.

Jude opened his eyes and watched both of them.

“Okay, let’s eat,” Jude said afterward.