Author's Note: This fic is set in the beginning of Instant Star season 3 and months after "What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?"
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi nor Instant Star.
"Look, I don't say this often but… you rock. Plain and simple." Darius Mills, himself, complimented. The musician sitting opposite him couldn't help but smile at his words. "Now, we have plenty of 'rockin' rollers' on our team, as you know, but we still would like you to join. I would like you to join. I believe you'd make a great asset to G Major Records." Darius held out a hand across his desk. "Do we have a deal?"
The boy hesitated, wondering the possibilities of agreeing to a contract with G Major. It was a life changing decision that would very well impact his music, his career and most importantly, his future. Was he ready?
"We have a deal Mr. Mills." The boy took the man's hand and shook on the agreement.
"Very well, Craig Manning. Welcome to G Major."
…
"You got it, you agreed?" Spiederman asked his friend as he emerged from Darius's office.
"Yup. He said I rocked"
"Dude!" Spiederman exclaimed.
"And I owe it all to you, Spied." Craig and Spiederman high fived.
"I told you I have connections. Darius loves me."
"Well, to tell you the truth, I partly owe everything to you. It turns out Darius heard a demo of me a while back and tried to get a hold of me, but no such luck. So, you pretty much guided me towards him. I didn't have to do much to persuade him."
"Great. My self-esteem level is shot."
"Oh but, you're still the man, Spied. If it hadn't been for you, Darius wouldn't have found me… so soon."
"Nice cover-up, Manning."
"I try."
"Well, to celebrate your new contract with G Major, let's hook-up with Kyle and Wally tonight. Hit the town, meet some hot chicks, party?"
"Yah know what? I think I'm gonna take you up on that."
…
Jude repeatedly called the same number over and over on her cell, hoping to get an answer. No luck. Maybe Tommy was gone for good. Maybe she never would see him again. Maybe he'd meant for their last meeting to end the way it did. Maybe he did want to hurt her all over again.
These thoughts and more buzzed through the young starlet's head.
After calling two more times and getting no response, Jude threw aside her phone. She furiously brushed her hands through her hair, holding back the urge to cry for what seemed like the tenth time since Tommy left.
Long ago, she swore she'd never again lose her mind over Tom Quincy. But now that he was gone, it was clear she couldn't keep her own promises.
Just then, the studio door opened. Jude jumped. She looked up to see who it was.
"Oh, hey." She said to the boy.
"Uh, hi." Craig replied.
"You're, um, Spied's friend. Right?" she asked.
"Yeah, Craig Manning. I just came in to get some stuff. I'll leave if you're busy or whatever."
"No, no, it's fine."
"Um, okay." Craig hesitantly proceeded further into the studio room. He fished through a pile of jackets to find his bag.
"So, how'd your meeting go with Darius?" Jude asked.
"Uh… great. I agreed to the contract, everything's settled…well, not officially but soon."
"Cool, welcome to the dysfunctional family." Jude wisecracked.
"Dysfunctional?"
"Yep, being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be. Trust me."
"Don't I know it." Craig turned back to face the girl. He couldn't believe he was talking directly to Jude Harrison.
"Listen, just a heads up, try to avoid any arousing feelings you have towards your music producer." Jude said.
"Interesting advice."
"Take it from someone who knows, falling in love sucks. Never date anyone in the industry, never date anyone period actually; cause by the end of the day, one of you will end up hurting the other."
"I sense you're going through something. My counselor told me to never hold things in."
"Your counselor, eh?"
"Yeah, he said never to hold in emotions." Craig recalled. "Talk to someone, shout it out, write about it. You'll be surprised how much better you'll feel afterwards."
"Huh, I'll take that into consideration, Craig…" Jude looked to him for his last name.
"Manning. Craig Manning."
"Cool."
There was a weird silence between them for a moment, Jude mostly smiled at him and Craig merely stared at her due to his sudden case of star struckness. Somehow he came up with an idea that would possibly put her in a better mood.
"Hey listen, me, Spied and the guys are heading out in a bit. If you don't have anything better to do, would you like to… tag along?"
"Anything better to do? Huh, besides wallow in self-pity?" Jude hesitated before answering. "Sure. Why not? I could use some fun."
"Cool, we're meeting out in the main hall in about an hour."
"Okay, see yah there."
Craig grabbed his bag and left smiling. Huh, I just scored points with Jude Harrison, he thought.