Hello, everyone. So here's the first chapter to 'Wake Me When the Summer Ends.' It's basically just an opening to what's to come. You all seem interested in this, so I don't want to let you down. I'm excited to write this story, becuz unlike my other, there aren't going to be anymore seasons, so what's happened has happened, and that ain't gonna change. Anyway, without further ado, here's Chapter One. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
"Let me slip away, I'm barely holding on. Every now and then I feel the end of us,"
"I love the way you breathe inside my head. But something's gotta change, I'm barely holding on."
Weatherman
He was tired—run down. It had been a long day; the flight delays on top of the original time between flights being long enough to begin with only prolonging his time to get home. The weatherman was an idiot. Fumbling with his keys in the doorway, he fought to keep his eyes open for his body wanted sleep and wasn't letting him get away without knowing it. Successfully getting his door unlocked and getting inside his apartment, a sigh was released as he tossed his keys on the side table in his entry hall.
The vacation itself had been draining, for he'd just spent the past three months in Montreal visiting his father who had been diagnosed with cancer. It wasn't fatal, but Tommy's father, although absent, had tried to be there for him growing up, and with the chance of him dying, Tommy wasn't going to just turn the other cheek. Jude had been touring, so he flew up to see his old man, spend time with him in case that day came and he had passed, Tommy wouldn't regret on lost time.
Within the last month, his father had seemed more than well. The radiation therapy seeming to work and he couldn't even remember the last time his father had a seizure. Acting and looking healthy, Matthew told Tommy to get back to Toronto and see Jude, knowing his son missed her terribly. He didn't have to be told twice.
With a backpack on his back and a duffle over his shoulder, he felt the extra weight slow him down as he walked the few steps down the hallway, passing the kitchen on his right and giving a quick glance toward the clock on his microwave reading 2:37 am. He was supposed to be home at 10:20 that night.
Overlooking the apartment, he came to a pause, noticing that it wasn't how he'd left it when he went away a few months ago. Nothing big had changed, it was actually cleaner. When he'd left to Montreal papers had been scattered across the coffee table, which now only contained the remote to the television and a neat stack of magazines. Pillows were straightened, and his kitchen table had been cleared off, and there was only one person that came to his mind as to who did it.
Just as her name had came to his mind, a small smile came over his sleepy features as his gaze turned down the hallway at his bedroom door, seeing it barely cracked, and a small light shining through. Readjusting the bag on his shoulder, he began his walk once again, finally to his bedroom. Slowly pushing the door open, another smile came over him as he stood in the doorway, seeing Jude fast asleep in his bed.
He remembered arguing with her before she left for tour to take a copy of the key to his apartment, and she didn't want to. Claimed she wouldn't use it, but apparently she was wrong. Quietly setting the bag down by his dresser, he closed the door with a soft click and started to strip down; removing his backpack and jacket, and toeing off his shoes.
At each action, he checked to make sure he hadn't woken her, yet it seemed nothing could. Stretched out on her stomach in the middle of the bed, she cuddled with his pillow as the covers covered half her body. She was also sleeping in one of his shirts which kept the smile on his face there. Quickly shimmying out of his jeans, he was left in a t-shirt and his boxers, before turning out the lamp on the nightstand and climbing into bed, still careful not to wake her.
Surprisingly he managed to slip his pillow from her grasp, and replace it with himself as he slipped her into his hold. In her sleep, she adjusted to the new form, draping her arm over his chest and snuggling into his side. With his head rested gently on the top of her head, he was finally content, and ready to give in to the sleep his body had been begging for.
"You're home." He heard mumbled into his chest.
Not opening his eyes, he placed his lips on the top of her head, kissing her hair and replying, "And you're in my bed."
Nodding her head slightly she mumbled, "Uh huh. Closest to you I could get." His lips once again kissed her hair, and she smiled before snuggling even closer to him and saying, "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Girl." He said without hesitance. "No more trips. I promise. Not without you."
Agreeing she added, "And no more touring unless you're with me." A yawn escaped her lips as Tommy started to softly run his hand up and down her back. Turning her head ever so slightly, she placed her lips on his chest and kissed him. "I love you."
Nuzzling his head on hers, Tommy gently told her, "I love you too." Before both of them drifted off into the much needed sleep their bodies asked for.
"Yo, T!" Darius called while stalking toward studio A. "You forget to fill Kaysha in on your presence tonight or you just waitin' till the last minute?"
Standing over the soundboard, his hands resting on the ends of the table to hold him up, he looked to his right at Darius voice before straightening his features, giving Darius a curious look. "My presence for what exactly?"
Darius rolled his eyes looking aggravated. "My birthday party." He explained, "Been planned for weeks."
"Uhh, sorry, D, I've kinda been outta town the past couple months." Tommy replied, shaking his head irritated before turning back to adjust the controls for Milo's song.
Just as irritated with Tommy, Darius took a stance beside him, saying, "Well your attendance is mandatory. All G Major Employees have to be there. We're slippin' out some hot new tracks tonight too so I need this single finished no later than four-thirty."
Shooting his head up from the board, he looked to Darius like he was nuts, "You gotta be kidding me? We just started working on this yesterday; he's got plenty of other songs."
Yet Darius wasn't going to sit around and argue with him. Instead he turned on his heel to exit the studio, his departing words, "Final mix by four-thirty. Party starts at six."
Angrily, Tommy let out a frustrated groan as he threw himself into his seat and buried his head in his hands.
"Did Little Tommy Q have other plans tonight?" Milo asked mockingly from the recording booth, a smirk on his face, as he saw himself getting to Tommy.
Pressing the intercom button, Tommy gave him a short smile before saying, "I could care less turning your album in how it is now. So unless the words are coming out in a lyrical sense, I advise you don't say anything at all."
Milo rolled his eyes before turning back to tuning his guitar, not thinking twice of calling Tommy on his bluff. The memory of recording with him on his first album was hell in a handbag, and when Tommy had left a few months ago to visit his father Milo was sure he'd get paired up with someone else, yet Tommy was back, and Darius didn't wait to throw him back on the album.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Milo ran the guitar pic over the strings, hearing the guitar in tune before saying, "You ready Quincy?"
Tommy only nodded, placing the headphones over his head, and hitting the pre-recorded music, Milo adding the additional acoustics to his liking. Soft hymns left his mouth before he sang real lyrics, closing his eyes and losing himself within it. "We had the best years of our lives. You and I, will never be the same. September took me by surprise. And I was left to watch the seasons change."
A short break came about as he continued to play, letting out more soft hymns as the door, opposite the one Darius entered, opened, and in walked a hooded Jude, quietly sneaking in, and hoping no one but Tommy would recognize her.
"It's been so quiet since you've gone. And everyday feels more like a year. Sometimes I wish I could move on, and memories could all just disappear."
Placing her hands on his shoulders, Tommy jumped, startled by the unknown presence, and quickly looked over his shoulder to see Jude smiling down at him through her sunglasses. "Surprise." She whispered, removing her shades, and dropping into the open seat beside him.
Milo began to play harder chords, as he was still in his own world, not even noticing Jude yet as he started to sing the pre-chorus. "So many things I should've said when I had the chance. So many times we took it all for gra—anted!"
"What are you doing here?" he asked, removing his headphones and turning to face her, ignoring Milo completely. His hands instantly took hold of her legs, just above her knees as he pulled her chair closer to his.
Smirking, "Not happy to see me, Quincy?" she joked. "I missed you, that's all."
"I never thought this could ever end," Milo sang, finally opening his eyes, and seeing Tommy not paying attention to him, but solely paying attention to Jude. "I never thought I'd lose my—" but he wasn't about to sing just for nobody. "Hey! Romeo, this isn't recess, can we get back to work?"
Still having his feed on, Tommy turned back to Milo and said, "Great take, kid. Go again." And with that, Tommy restarted the track, cut his feed, and turned his attention back to Jude, not caring if Milo was giving him dirty looks or not.
His attention back on Jude, he smiled at her, letting her know, "I missed you too. In fact, Darius is driving me nuts, so…" taking a breath, he finished, "I'm glad you're here to bring me to bring me back down."
Leaning back in her seat, she propped her feet into his lap, and Tommy instantly held them securely in his hands. "You wanna take your lunch and we can talk about it?"
Reluctantly, he shook his head, "I wish I could, but I gotta get this song finished by four-thirty and it's already noon. Milo's not exactly in the most cooperative mood."
Jude shrugged her shoulders before replying with a playful smirk, "Then turn the song in as is. Teach him a lesson, and," she paused, removing her feet from his lap and leaning into him, lowering her voice to a seductive whisper, "if it pisses Darius off, maybe he'll cut you loose from G Major and I'll have you all to myself again."
Watching her bite her lower lip as she worked him with the promise of being free of G Major almost made it worth the while, yet getting fired for bad producing isn't exactly great on his reputation. "As appealing as that is, with you cutting your contract short with London, and me fleeing G Major with knocks of my producing, we'll never get anyone to sign us."
"Okay, so then when can you be home, like five?" she asked, and hearing her call his apartment 'home' to her made him want to ditch G Major and take her there now.
"Uh," he stuttered out, clearing his thoughts, "No." Seeing her face turn to a pout, he answered before she asked, saying with an eye roll, "Darius apparently is having a birthday party tonight, which actually he's using as a cover up to leak out the new singles G Major artists have been working on the past month or so, and my attendance is mandatory."
Literally pouting, Jude sat up with a frown on her face, "But you said we'd get you and me time tonight."
"I know, babe," he said, placing a hand on her cheek, bringing her eyes to look at him. "After the party. I'd try and get you an invite, but…" his voice trailed off, and he didn't really need to answer. They both knew why she wouldn't be able to get in. "I'm sure D's still upset about you leaving."
Rolling her eyes, she threw her head up in annoyance. "Good God, get over it already." She vented before letting her eyes go downcast. "How much longer are you stuck with him?"
Tommy chuckled, before pointing her chin back up to him. "I'm all yours for the taking, Girl. I'll slip away from the party as soon as I can." Suddenly her eyes filled with mischief as she processed the current thought in her head. "Oh no. What are you thinking?"
Biting her lip, she put on a pleading look before scooting in as close to him as she could, "I know a way you can piss Darius off and not ruin your reputation." And his brain was telling him no, to turn away and not listen to what she was about to offer, yet ditching Darius for Jude would always top, and he found he just couldn't look away.
"Darius is going to kill us." Tommy announced as Jude walked from the kitchen into the living room holding two soda cans and a bowl of popcorn.
Looking over his shoulder from the couch, Tommy watched her walk around and take a seat beside him. "Honestly, I could care less." she responded, while Tommy changed the TV to video and grabbed the DVD remote.
Agreeing with her, he said, "I've seen you like twice since you got home your tour. I want a night all to ourselves."
His arm wrapped around her shoulder as she held the popcorn bowl between them, their drinks sitting on the table before them. "With sex?" she smirked as he looked down to her.
Placing a kiss on her lips, he mumbled, "Uh huh. As much as you can take, Harrison."
Her eye brows rose seductively as she slowly moved the popcorn bowl to the floor and began to lean back, gripping his shirt to bring him with her. "You'd be surprised."
Following after her, he replied, "Want to prove it?"
Pressing her lips to his, she kissed him softly before asking, "Depends what movie you picked."
"One you won't like." He told her with a sly grin before positioning himself fully over her. "That answer your question?"
Being completely laid down, she adjusted herself beneath him. "Maybe." She said with a seductive smile.
"Yeah, this is going to be way better than being with Darius tonight." He said before leaning down to kiss her; however Jude had busted into laughter, turning away from the kiss.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed through laughter as one hand covered her mouth and the other set on his chest to hold him off. "That sounded so wrong!" Continuing to laugh she caught Tommy pull in his lower lip and slightly nod at the realization of his words.
"I meant being with him at his birthday party." He clarified, but Jude continued to laugh, now rolling on her side. "Jude, c'mon!"
"I'm sorry." She told him, but still continued to laugh, and it began to get annoying to Tommy. Thinking of an idea, he grabbed her side and started tickling her, causing her to roll closer to the edge of the couch.
"OhmyGod, okay! Tom—Tommy, stop! Tommy!" she cried, trying to wiggle from his grasp. "I'm gonna fall!"
"You sorry?" he asked, a cocky smile on his face.
Jude tried to put up with his torture, but he only tickled her higher up her rib cage before she was about to give up and drop the two feet to the floor. "No." she answered back, trying to push him off, however, he wouldn't give up so Jude decided to go to higher lengths.
"Say it. Now say I'm number one. A sex God." He went on, "Say—Ow!" and before he could finish, Jude had maneuvered her hand down between his legs and grabbed him. Hard. Tommy yelped and instantly stopped tickling her, but Jude lost remaining balance and they both toppled off onto the floor.
Crashing down, Jude surprisingly was still laughing as her head collided with the edge of the popcorn bowl causing half of it to mix in with her hair, and the rest to catapult over Tommy as he followed after her, landing on his back and knocking his own head on the edge of the coffee table.
"Ah, dammit, Jude." He cursed while holding his head, but she was still only laughing. Giving in, he laughed too as he lay beside her and watched her laughs subside, "God, you're beautiful." He said while gently holding onto her face, running his thumbs over her cheek and staring at her lovingly.
Not wanting to put off making love to her anymore, he sat up to move atop her, however, his head hit the edge of the table again and Jude's soda crashed over, spilling over Tommy's back and into his hair.
She swore to God her lip would bleed if she bit down any harder, but if she broke into another fit of laughter, Tommy would kill her. Opening his eyes, he tried to avoid the cold Pepsi that had drenched him and looked to Jude seeing her holding in her laughter as much as she could. "Perfect." And that simple word caused her to lose it, bursting into laughter and bringing Tommy with her.
"Come here, dork." She said while reaching a hand behind his head and pulling his lips to hers. At first they smiled into the kiss, making it soft and slow before the mood quickly changed as Tommy moved fully atop her.
Yet, them having sex must not have been an option for the couple as Tommy's phone started to ring from his pocket. Breaking the kiss, Jude said to ignore it, as her hands moved beneath his shirt and his own worked on undoing her pants. As quickly as the ringing had come it was gone, and Jude and Tommy were lost amongst each other. The need for him was building up as she gripped his shirt to pull it off him, and Tommy didn't hesitate on helping her remove it.
"Tommy," she breathed as his lips captured hers. His hands working on the button of her jeans, came undone, as the ringing started again. Groaning in annoyance, he brought his mouth away from hers as Jude reached into his pocket to see who was calling him.
Chuckling, she handed him the phone while saying, "It's your boyfriend."
At first not getting it, he eyed her before seeing Darius' name. "Ugh," he sighed before flipping open the phone. "Hello?"
Sitting up, he moved from off the floor and sat on the couch. Jude, mocking his actions, also sat up and brushed away the popcorn kernels as she crawled onto the couch and sat herself behind Tommy, his back to her chest, figuring he was getting chewed out for not being there so she gently ran her hands through his sticky hair to calm him.
"Thanks, Darius." He finally said after remaining quiet the time he was on the phone. "Yeah. Thanks."
"He chew you out?" she asked while placing her lips on his neck, yet that only lasted a few moments before he gently shrugged her away. Knowing something was wrong, she wrapped her arms around his middle and looked over his shoulder to see his face. "What happened?"
His face was almost blank, a look of mixed emotions and that's what he was feeling. "Tommy?"
Looking over to her he said, "My… My Dad. He's having seizures again and… Tristan told Darius…" Tears started to form in his eyes as he looked away.
Jude tightened her hold on him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Shh, it's okay. You don't have to talk about if it you don't want to."
He slowly shook his head as his breath caught in his throat and a few tears fell from his eyes. Grabbing her hand, he squeezed it tight. "He's only got two months. Two months…"
Untangling herself from him, she brought herself in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting his own arms wrap around her, pulling her to his lap and holding on for dear life. His father had been sick for a while, but Tommy could bet his own life after spending the few months back home he'd be fine. Now… Now it didn't matter what he'd bet. Now he was dying again.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x:X:x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x
"I'm dying, I'm trying to leave."