Stars Are Crossed

Chapter One

One Word Changes All: Yes!

Jude Harrison! That's me! I still cannot believe that my best friend (and boyfriend) Jamie was able to do all of this. We started a new record label after G-Major closed. It's come very far, especially for only almost three years!

Maybe I should explain more closely. You see, after Tommy and I split, I still loved him very much. I hated to see him go. He HAD given me an offer, a month after my eighteenth birthday. He invited me to go with him on his trip. He would be leaving for Thailand just two days after he'd invited me. He was choosing to backpack through Asia, since he'd never had the chance to before, and because it offered him a fresh, new start.

My mind was whirling, especially because now I really had a big problem. Earlier that day, Jamie, who at the time wasn't officially my boyfriend, yet, gave me an offer of a lifetime as well. Him and Paegan were starting their own record label, and Jamie didn't want me to have to give up my career. He offered me the position of first producer.

I had no idea what to do. I turned to Sadie, and even Spied, sorta, but still was lost. After much thought, I decided to stay, but I would wait for Tommy. I loved him; even still, I couldn't help it. I loved him with everything I was, everything I am. I couldn't just up and leave, especially on such short notice, so I would wait until he came home.

Once Tommy left, Jamie, Paegan, Spied, Karma, SME, Mason, Kwest, Sadie, and some newer employees, and myself started to work on JP Records. When (finally) my contract with G-Major finished, I signed with JP as singer/songwriter and producer. My music skills weren't to be shunned, but I did want to help out in the producing department.

We also signed Karma, Spied, SME, Paegan, Mason, and (yep, I was shocked, too) Shay. Since this whole thing with his aunt, and in turn, his manager and uncle, he needed a new manager. Jamie, though not so reluctant as we needed the publicity and money to get started, signed him. Shay was not bothered at all, and we at least agreed to get along. Though we never much talked, we no longer hated each other. I will never to this day forgive him for hurting me, but I've moved on and there's no point in dragging it into the future.

Jamie and I hadn't dated; he respected my decisions and offered to be the best friend any girl could ever ask for. I waited, and waited, and while weeks grew into months, I grew desperate for some kind of contact from Tommy. Each day the sun set into the west, my heart sank lower in my chest. I needed him, and I couldn't stand it.

After about twenty months, and still no contact, I finally started to accept that Tommy wasn't coming home. I couldn't bear the thought, but I knew, deep down, that it was suddenly becoming a reality. I knew that I'd deeply hurt him, and broken his heart, but I felt two things towards that situation. One, he deserved it, after breaking mine so many countless times. And two, I was just scared. What if he'd broken my heart, AGAIN, and it would have been just the two of us, far away from home? I would have been destroyed beyond the point of being able to be repaired.

I never received anything from him. No postcards, no emails, no phone calls, no texts, no letters, and definitely no visits. I haven't heard from or seen Tommy for a month less than three years now, and I've tried hard to not think about him. It gets easier as each day goes by, slowly. But I am happy with Jamie. We started dating after I finally accepted that Tommy wouldn't be coming back to me.

The whole 'not thinking of him' thing works, except in my dreams. He is always there, and I have NO control over that. I can't help it, but I try to tune them out. In the mornings, I fill my mind with other thoughts before I can even begin to think about the dreams. I don't want my past to ruin my future. That's what happened to Tommy, and look what it got him into. I don't ever want that.

Kwest and Sadie are as happy as ever, too. They moved into a cute apartment not too far from the studio about two years ago. I visit them often. They have three bedrooms, so I have my own room. It's like my second home, really. Yes, I am still at home, but I do stay with my sister a lot.

Anyways, back to the now. We are having a rather large party, and for good reason. Or should I say reasons? The whole staff is here, including the media hounding everyone they can. We are celebrating the birth of this place really. We are releasing our first CDs, which make a three-some, and are really bringing JP Records into the lime-light. We are celebrating my third album (with my contract delay, and time to produce, it took this long to finish it, especially without my 'inspiration'), Karma's second album, and Spied's first. Karma and Spied are a little behind since they have their newlyweds show, now in Season Three. Yes, their marriage has lasted, so far. I don't know how, but it's worked; the show and all. But three records are pulling in more than enough money to cover everything we need.

I think there is something else going on though. I really can't imagine what, but everyone is acting off. Sadie seems rather jumpy and excited, my dad will not stop smiling at me, and Jamie seems to be avoiding me. Do they all know something I don't?

I look stunning if I do say so myself. My violet dress, reaching the tips of my knees and added with a thin layer of black lace overtop shows off my curves at the best angles. I have black, strappy, jeweled, open-toed heals, and my golden blonde curls that are bouncing softly create a rather stunning image.

"Congrats, Jude!" I turn to see who called yet another congratulations to me, and see Karma. She's been a lot nicer towards me now that she's like my sister-in-law. Since Spied IS kind of like my brother, it only seemed fit that we behave for his sake. I smile at her, my blue eyes shining.

"Thanks, Karma! Congrats to you, too!" I smile again, hoping I didn't freak her out by going too far. She smiles at me, and, after an awkward silence, she turns and leaves.

I am truly excited, though. My twenty-first birthday is just one week away. I had completely ignored my twentieth; we were so busy at the studio. On my nineteenth, Sadie took me out to a club for some drinks, seeing as it was only fit. But other than that, I had completely shrugged off my 'birthdays'. Sadie and I were sitting on the couch, talking the other day when she brought it up. She asked me if I wanted a party. I glared at her; she stopped abruptly, and never brought it up again. I don't trust birthday parties anymore, and I definitely do not trust being with my boyfriend, if I have one, on my birthday. It only ends in disaster.

I see Jamie walking over to me. He reaches me, kisses me swiftly, and says, "Jude, you look beautiful. Can I talk to you for a minute?" His eyes are glowing, but he seems extremely nervous. My smile quickly fades, but I still follow him. This feels eerily familiar. I glare over at Shay for emphasis, before Jamie closes the door to the empty studio we now stand in.

Jamie is different than Shay was that night. His excitement seems more nerves from just that. Excitement! I kiss him and tell him to tell me what's on his mind. He looks into my eyes and starts, the words coming just above a whisper. "Jude, you know that I love you, right?" His eyes search mine for the truth. I open my mouth to speak.

"Of course, Jamie. I love you too, but what"- He cuts me off with a simple, but firm kiss. When we pull apart, he reaches into his suit pocket, feeling for what he wants. I start to get nervous again, but my curious eyes never leave him. Finally, he pulls out a small, velvet box. Jewelry? Why? My questioning eyes stare into his.

He kneels down, while opening the box and my body freezes. My stomach tightens, my throat closes, and my breath catches there. My whole body is numb, and he clears his throat.

"Jude Elizabeth Harrison, will you spend the rest of your life with me?" My jaw drops slightly, my eyes water, and I can't even speak. I'm breathless, and completely shocked.

Jamie stands up and grabs both my hands with his. "Jude?" He asks, concerned. I close my jaw, my eyes switching from his face to the diamond, white-gold ring. I finally find my voice, though I can't even recognize it. I let out a soft, breathless 'oh my god' before the tears fall onto my face. I look at Jamie's pleading eyes, staring deep into them before speaking.

"What---YES!" I laugh slightly, and Jamie picks me up, spinning us somewhat. Wrapping into his arms, I refuse to let him let me go. He slides the ring onto my finger and kisses me. He sets me down, and after a moment or two, releases me to tell my family and our friends.

I immediately run to find Sadie. She'll be so excited, but somewhat jealous, too. She's still waiting for Kwest to purpose, but what she doesn't know is that he's waiting until Christmas. She hugs me tight, and the rest of the night goes by in a blur. It was full of hugs, kisses, tears, laughs, smiles, and congratulations' before I decide to go home. I'm staying with dad tonight, which is good. If I went to Sadie's place tonight, I'd never get any sleep.

My dad hugs me again; tells me how much he loves me, how proud of me he is, and how happy he is for me. I thank him, but politely excuse myself to bed.

Now, I'm sitting in bed, fiddling with the ring around my finger and staring off into space. I feel strange by the feeling it leaves on my finger. Tears are silently falling off my cheeks. Why am I sad? I should be happy I convince myself. I am happy! I wipe the tears, now frustrated. I'm happy; I love Jamie! And, it won't be with the press just yet. At least, not tomorrow anyways!

I lay back, my head against the white fluffy pillows. I force a smile and reach over to turn out my lamp. I turn over, but I couldn't help but wonder, why? After all this time of blocking off my thoughts of him, of building up those barriers. All I know is that, the moment I said 'yes', I saw Tommy's face appear right in front of me, clear as day.