In the End
An AU fic by Jude Quincy

A/N – I think I'm gonna switch PoV's for this one. If I get bored with that, I'll just start writing it in 3rd person again. Chapter 1 is kinda boring, but it sets it all up. Enjoy.

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Chapter one – In the Beginning

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Tom's PoV

"Eden, you're flat," I reminded her for the tenth time this afternoon. "Just because you're number one doesn't mean you can slack off."

She cocked her head to the side and gave me a look. "Whatever, Tom. Let's just get this over with, okay? I have a nail appointment in fifteen minutes."

I sighed and adjusted some controls on the soundboard. Sometimes Eden could be so unprofessional. I wondered how she won the stupid contest when she acted like this. It seemed like she didn't even like singing.

She cleared her throat and pulled back her hair, humming a few notes in the microphone. I pressed the intercom button and spoke slowly, "A little better. Tilt your head back and take deeper breaths."

Eden stopped singing, shooting a glare at me. "I know how to sing. I won that stupid contest, remember? If you don't stop interrupting me, we're never gonna get another album done, okay?" I frowned at her and she got up from the stool.

"Where are you going?"

She didn't even turn to look at me. "Didn't you hear me before? I have a nail appointment."

"Eden, we really need to—" Before I could finish my sentence, she was out the door, slamming it behind her. I sighed, burying my head in my hands. "I need some caffeine."

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Jude's PoV

"Jude, cheer up." Jamie threw a pillow at my head. The two of us were up in my room, listening to the radio. He was sitting in my chair across the room and I was sprawled out on my bed. I sat up, glaring at him and he put up his hands in defense. "Hey, all I'm saying is, it's our senior year and you're moping around."

I gave him a look and rested my head on my hands. "Her sophomore album just hit number one, Jamie. What do you want me to act like?"

He threw another pillow at me, missing my head by inches, and I smiled involuntarily. "Like you're hanging out with your best friend in the world and you're having a good time."

"I guess." I stood up, walking over to my window. It was such a beautiful day out—for a day in late March. Turning back to my best friend, I gave him a puppy-dog look. "Want to go get some coffee?"

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Tom's PoV

Walking down the street, I looked around for a small coffee shop. I always tried to find a new one each time and my rule of thumb? The smaller the shop, the better the coffee. Spotting one down a one-way street, I strolled over.

I stepped through the open doorway and heard a small bell chime my entrance. Smiling, I made my way over to the counter, glancing at the menu hanging behind the register.

"May I help you?" a deep voice asked in a monotone. I looked down and noticed a young man standing with his arms crossed, staring at me.

"Yeah, can I get a large café latte?" The cashier sighed and nodded, turning around and disappearing around the displays. Laughing to myself, I glanced around the little shop. There was a small area against the far wall where tables were set up. Around the door were numerous chair set up in a cozy circle. I was the only customer in the place.

I just might have to come back.

"Here you go." The monotone voice was back, this time with a large Styrofoam cup in hand. Reaching out, I took the drink, handing him a ten. He grabbed it from me, sighing again then handing me my change.

I headed for the cozy circle, taking a seat in one of the cushioned chairs by the door. I didn't really feel like heading back to G Major yet. I mean, what was the point? My artist was out getting her nails done.

Sighing, I heard the bell chime another visitor. Looking up, I pressed my lips together in thought. A guy walked in, closely followed by a girl. The guy looked like every other teenager in Toronto I knew—emo. But the girl? Now, she was different. Her vivid red hair caught the light and her bright blue eyes lit up the room. Her smile stretched across her face and her fashion sense was the opposite of everything I saw at G Major. Her jeans were ripped in all the right places and her wrists were decorated with all kinds of silver. But what really caught my eye was her shirt. 'Hey Jude' was written across her chest and the back was a print of the Beatles.

I watched the two of them, intrigued. The two of them were obviously friends, at least to her. He might think of them as something more, but to her, they were just friends. Point one for Quincy.

Standing up, I made my way over to the counter.

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Jude's PoV

He was the first thing I saw when we walked into 'The Magic Beanie.' I knew every regular and he wasn't one of them. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't figure out where from. I could feel him watching Jamie and I as we walked up to the counter, ready to order our regulars.

"Hey Jude." A deep voice behind me startled me. Spinning around, I found myself face-to-face with the stranger who had been watching us. My mind went into overdrive, trying to place him. Obviously, we knew each other. He looked kinda familiar and he knew my name.

"I…hi…?" I tried to sound like I knew him, but I guessed I failed.

"Your shirt." He pointed at me and I glanced down. Oh, duh. I looked up at him, locking eyes with him involuntarily. He kept my gaze, smiling warmly at me, and I blushed. The stranger watched me, amused. I probably looked like a moron—face red, stuttering, and staring.

"Uh…Jude?" Jamie's voice brought me back to reality. I broke contact with the stranger, facing my best friend.

"Your name is Jude?" I looked back at the other guy, mesmerized by his deep, rumbling voice. I nodded, not trusting myself enough to form coherent words. "Funny."

"Jude, you gonna order?" Jamie asked impatiently.

"Uh, yeah. Coffee, please. Black." I reached into my pocket, pulling out my wallet.

The stranger held out a twenty-dollar bill. "It's on me."

I shook my head, pushing his money away. For the life of me, I could not place him. You think I'd remember such a gorgeous face. Or his chivalry? "Oh, no. I got it."

"I insist." He handed his bill to the cashier, who turned around to pour the coffee, ignoring me.

"I…thanks."

"No problem…Jude." He smiled when he said my name and I could feel my heart melting. I shook myself inwardly, trying to get rid of that fluttering feeling in my stomach.

I really needed to figure out where I knew this guy from. "What's your—"

"Your coffee," the casher muttered, setting it on the counter.

"Thanks," I replied, grabbing my drink.

"Here, let me get that," the stranger offered, reaching out.

"It's okay. I…" Before I could stop him, he grabbed the top and the cup fumbled in my hands, the coffee spilling out all over my shirt. I screamed, the hot liquid burning my chest.

"Oh, God. I am so sorry." He reached out and grabbed some napkins, attempting to dry my shirt. I took them from him, squinting in pain.

"What have you done!" Jamie yelled, pushing past the older man and helping me with my shirt.

"It was an accident," he insisted, never taking his eyes off me. "I'm sorry."

"I need…I need to get another shirt," I muttered, the sting starting to hurt just a little less. I shrugged Jamie off, trying to look normal.

The stranger looked at me, the guilt obvious in his eyes. "Look, I live just around the corner. You can borrow one of mine." I frowned slightly, a little nervous. "I owe you at least that much."

"Jude? We can get you one of your shirts," Jamie said, his voice cold.

I turned, almost forgetting he was there. "Jame, even if we drove, it'd take us fifteen minutes to get home."

He gave me a look. "Fine, but then I'm taking you home."

The stranger smirked at me. "To my place, then." Damn, that smile was so familiar. If only I could figure out from where.

"Hey, what's your name?" I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Tom. Tom Quincy."

Jamie snorted. "You're Little Tommy Q?"

My jaw dropped. He was Little Tommy Q? From Boyz Attack? Oh, God, no. I did not like some ex-boybander. I lowered my head, hoping no one would notice my face turning an even deeper shade of red.

This was not happening. I must be stuck in Sadie's daydream. There was no way I had been thinking about Little Tommy Q. But glancing up at him, my thoughts only got stronger. Something in that coffee must have turned me into Sadie.

But whatever it was, it was real. Because my stomach was still in knots, and my mind was still fixed on his perfect face.

Someone shoot me.

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A/N – First chapter is done. What do we think. Keep working on it? Scrap it? Let me know…