Hey! I have the seond chapter of this stroy written, but I'm not going to post it just yet. I want to see what kind of reaction this chapter gets first. In this story, Date With the Night never happened, and Darius never took over G Major.
Disclaimer: I do not own Instant Star. Unfortunately. I do not own My Wonderful or What's Left Of Me either.
"That was awesome, girl, awesome!" Tommy flashed her a huge smile. "You really think so?" Jude asked. "Yeah, I do." She had just finished singing him her new song, My Wonderful. "We'll start on the music tomorrow, ok?" Tommy sounded genuinely excited. Jude couldn't help smiling. "You think I'm gonna work on my birthday?" she teased. "Don't you always?" he teased back. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you have time to get ready for your party." "I know, see you tomorrow." she replied as she gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek. "Can't wait." he murmured as she walked out.
Jude left G Major, smiling at the thought of her party. Tomorrow was her 18th birthday, and Georgia was throwing her a party. She had the perfect outfit picked out. A red halter dress with a flowy skirt that ended just above her knees, simple black heels, and a red clutch purse. She was really getting excited about the party. "Hopefully this birthday will be better than the others," she thought.
The next day after working on the music for her song with Tommy, she headed home to get ready. "I hope I look good," she thought as she opened the door to G Major. "Happy Birthday!" everyone cried as she walked in. She looked around the room and saw her parents, Sadie, Jamie, Kwest, and Tommy. She smiled and thanked people as they came up and told her Happy Birthday. Finally she was able to make her way over to her family and friends. "Happy Birthday, honey," her parents said, "You look beautiful." "Thank you," she replied, though she was watching Tommy. She talked for a few more minutes with them then made her way over to Kwest and Tommy.
Kwest handed her a small box. "Happy birthday Jude." She opened the box, and found a silver bracelet inside. It had a single charm on it, a music note. "Thank you, it's beautiful." She hugged Kwest. "I'm gonna get some food." Kwest said, and walked away. Tommy stepped forward. "Happy Birthday, girl. Here." He handed her a box slightly larger than the one Kwest had given her. She let out a gasp as she opened it. Inside was a silver, heart-shaped locket with a J engraved on it. "Oh Tommy, it's beautiful! Thank you so much. I love it." He smiled. "Open it." Inside was a picture of the two of them from her 17th birthday. "Tommy, I don't know what to say. This is the best gift I've ever gotten. Thank you so much. I mean it." She hugged him, afraid she'd start crying if she tried to say anything else. "There's something else." He pulled a tape out of his pocket. "Don't listen to it until you get home, ok?" Jude nodded, still afraid to speak. "Go get ready to do your song girl." She thanked him again, not knowing how she could ever show him how much the gift meant to her.
Jude waited for Tommy to announce her. She was going to sing My Wonderful tonight for the first time. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she heard the music ending. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Jude Harrison singing her new song, My Wonderful!" She walked onto the stage and started to sing, her eyes searching for Tommy.
"A time when I was down and out
No lovin in my life
this angel came around and brought
a meaning of some right
Took my dark and lonely days
Into the light
With his loving ways
He's my wonderful
Everything a girl could want to love
And all I need
Yes he's my wonderful
Must have been sent from up above
Just for me
Gotta have him close to me
Each and every night
To give me that security
Of dreaming in delight
Love has got a grip on me
Oh so tight
Hope he never lets go
He's my wonderful
Everything a girl could want to love
And all I need
Yes he's my wonderful
Must have been sent from up above
Just for me
Cause I don't ever want to be free
From this love and care that most people will never see
And at night I pray
That I'll have my way
And enjoy love for eternity
He's my wonderful
Everything a girl could want to love
And all I need
Yes he's my wonderful
Must have been sent from up above
Just for me
No one can ever do for me
The things he does cause
He's my wonderful
Everything a girl could want to love
And all I need
Yes he's my wonderful
Must have been sent from up above
Just for me"
She finished singing, knowing from the amount of applause that they loved it. She waved and walked off the stage, feeling exhilarated. "You rocked girl." She turned and found herself face to face with Tommy. "It felt amazing, singing and seeing their reactions." Jude couldn't contain her excitement. "It was your best performance ever. You were...amazing." Jude blushed. "It wasn't that good." "Yes it was. I'm proud of you girl."
"Thanks...for everything." she said, weariness washing over her. "Don't thank me, Jude. All this," he said gesturing to the party around them, "you earned it. You worked hard, doing something you love, and this is the result. People who love you helping you celebrate your birthday, two great CD's, and a third in the making. You deserve it. Don't ever forget that. Now, go have fun."
"Thank you, Tommy, for everything. I know I already said it, but I can't say it enough." she said before walking away. As he watched her walk away, Tommy smiled. He'd meant everything he'd said. She deserved what she had. She worked hard for it, and he admired that.
That night, after mingling, dancing, and eating cake, she'd left the party. Now lying on her bed, she put in the tape Tommy had given her and pressed play.
Watched my life pass me by -- in the rearview mirror
Pictures frozen in time -- are becoming clearer
I don't wanna waste another day -- stuck in the shadow of my mistakes -- yeah
Cause I want you -- and I feel you -- crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger, like a burnin -- to find a place I've never been
Now I'm broken, and I'm faded -- I'm half the man I thought I would be
But you can have -- what's left of me.
I've been dying inside -- little by little
Nowhere to go -- I'm goin outta my mind
An endless circle -- runnin from myself until
You gave me a reason for standing still
Cause I want you -- and I feel you -- crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger, like a burnin -- to find a place I've never been
Now I'm broken, and I'm faded -- I'm half the man I thought I would be
But you can have -- what's left of me.
Fallin' faster -- barely breathing
Give me somethin to believe in
Tell me it's not all in my head
(pause)
Take what's left of this man
Make me whole once again
Cause I want you -- and I feel you -- crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger, like a burnin -- to find a place I've never been
Now I'm broken, and I'm faded -- I'm half the man I thought I would be
But you can have -- what's left of me.
I've been dying inside you see
I'm goin outta my mind (outta my mind, outta my mind, outta my mind)
I'm just runnin' in circles all the time
Will you take what's left?
Will you take what's left
Will you take what's left -- of me
I'm just runnin' in circles in my mind
Will you take what's left?
Will you take what's left?
Will you take what's left? -- of me
Take what's left of me
Jude sat up on her bed, unable to think clearly. She had to see Tommy. She grabbed her coat off her chair, put on shoes, and ran to the door, stopping only to write a note in case someone woke up and couldn't find her. She opened the door only to find herself face to face, once again, with Tommy.