Disclaimer: Instant Star doesn't belong to me. Only this idea does.
Author's Note: Much thanks goes to my beta! Luv ya much! And please give me feedback. I crave it!
The Price of Fame
I felt about ready to drop by the time I got home from G Major. It had been three years since I won Instant Star and began my journey as a celebrity. Though years had passed, I was still trying to get used to the lifestyle. But çe la vie! Okay, I know that was such a cliché but it's true! Fame has changed aspects of my life that I'm still only beginning to understand.
The quietness of my house was unsettling. My mom and Sadie went away to New York on vacation. I would've loved to join them but, according to mom, Sadie, Tommy, Georgia, and my album come first. This was to be my third album and this pressure was on to get it done before Christmas (which was only two months away!)
With a long, clearing sigh, I went upstairs to my room and collapsed face down on my bed. I rolled over onto my side and began to hum the rhythm of the song Tommy and I had been working on at the studio. We had the music completed and were working on the lyrics. But nothing was working so far; nothing felt right.
…Tommy. I closed my eyes and thought about him. I had fallen for him when I was fifteen and suffered with the knowledge that, though he liked me back, he wouldn't be with me. "You're too young." He had told me over and over and over. But still, my heart wouldn't let him go. I had even dated other guys to try to move on. Hell, I'd even thought I loved a few. But in the end, they never worked out. And when it came down to it, I still wanted to be with Tommy.
And now, I was 18 (and had been for three months), and he still hadn't made a move. I knew he wanted to, but he always held back at the last moment. It was hard for me not knowing why he still pulled back from me. I sighed again. Men…
My thoughts were interrupted by noises coming from down stairs. I opened my eyes and sat up. It was probably Jamie. He often comes over without knocking…but my stomach lurched in apprehension.
"Jamie?" I called out, "Is that you?"
Then I remembered that Jamie, had gotten back with Kat after I made it clear that he was my friend and friend only, was out celebrating his and Kat's two-year anniversary. My heart pounded fast in my chest, as the silence grew heavy. Then, the quietness was interrupted by the sounds of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. I swallowed hard as panic filled me. At that point, I did the only thing I could think of: I hid in my closet. It was a good place, given its permanent cluttered and unruly state.
I lay on my back on the floor, shut the door, then piled clothes, shoes, my book bag (anything in arms reach), on top of me. I could see through a tiny hole in the mountain of stuff and out into my room through the slots in my closet door. I bit my lip and wiggled my cell phone out of my pocket and slowly brought it to my head.
I hit Tommy's speed dial number (1) and put it to my ear, listening to it ring. The footsteps were closer now and I fought back tears. Tommy, thankfully, answered on the fifth ring.
"What's up, Jude?" he asked.
"Tommy, there's somebody in my house." I whispered, "You have to help me."
Thump! The footsteps were in my room and I heard Tommy's voice in my ear, saying my name. I hung up without answering and shut it off, and brought my arm back down. My heart squeezed in my chest and tears fell down my cheeks. I said a silent prayer and watched as a tall, masked man dressed all in black step into my line of vision. He was wearing a "Pennywise the Clown" (a.k.a.: It) mask, which was terrifying all by itself.
"Jude." He called in a sing-song voice, "Juuuuuuuuuuude."
I bit my lip, keeping myself from sobbing out loud. He was searching my room now; going through my drawers looking under the bed, then he stepped over to the closet. Time froze and I closed my eyes tight and held back a whimper. Then, everything went still, quiet. I breathed out of my nose slowly. It was over. I let my body relax. Suddenly, I heard my closet door fly open and I couldn't hold back my scream…I'm going to die!