"Bulletproof"
Sequel to "Getting It"
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A/N - Hey again! You guys knew I couldn't stay away! lol. Here's the (not so) long awaited sequel to "Getting It." Enjoy :3
Quick back-story! "Bulletproof" takes place 2 years after "Getting It." Jude is now 19. She and Tom have been dating since her 17th birthday. The press had a field day a few months after that when they snapped a picture of them kissing. However, since she's been legal, they're not afraid to show their affection in public.
Sadie left university soon after getting there to pursue her acting career, which has yet to take off. Vic is still dating Don. Jude is busy with Tom, so she's not angry with her mom about it anymore. Plus, Stuart and Yvette got married soon after Jude's 17th birthday. They now have a 16-month old baby--Joshua James Harrison, or JJ.
Jude finished her sophomore album, then took a break from her career to help Tom with his solo album, which is currently under works. She decided not to go to university right now. Vic threw a fit until Jude reminded her mom that Sadie isn't at university.
Everything seems perfect in Jude Harrison's life. But how long will that last?
Enjoy, everyone!
-JQ-
DISCLAIMER – I don't own Instant Star. But I do own Getting It AND Bulletproof. :3
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Chapter One...Freeze Frame
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Jude stepped into Studio A, two cups of coffee in hand---one with cream and one with sugar. She handed the sugared one to Kwest and the other to Tom, who were both sitting at the sound board, looking very stressed out.
"Thanks, Jude," her boyfriend grinned at her over the rim of the cup.
"Yeah, thanks," Kwest added, fiddling with some controls on the sound board in front of him. They were fixing some back tracks for Tom's newest song. She sat down on the table next to Tom.
"How's it coming, guys?" Jude asked, grabbing the headphones from the table and putting them on. She listened for a little while, her head bobbing in time. She pulled them off slowly, resting them around her neck. "Sounds great, Tommy."
He pressed his lips together in a tight smile. "For no sleep in a week? Yeah, it sounds pretty damn good." The three of them shared a laugh.
Jude turned to Kwest. "Seriously, though. Try boosting the treble on this one. I think it'll make it easier to hear his voice."
Kwest nodded. "True, but Tom needs to sing that one a little louder. Maybe we can tweak the lyrics later?"
"Yeah," she agreed.
"I hate to break up this party." They all looked up at the new voice standing in the doorway. Darius was grinning at them. "But I gotta lock up tonight. How many of you workaholics are staying here tonight?"
The three of them shared a look and then they all raised their hands. A bemused expression crossed their boss' face.
"I never thought I see this group working like this---Jude as the mixer, Kwest as the producer, and T as the artist?" He shook his head in disbelief, chuckling. "See you guys in the morning."
" 'Night, Darius," Jude chimed in as he left them to their work once more.
"You guys really staying here all night?" Kwest asked, adjusting the volume on the instrumentals.
Jude looked at Tom and grinned. "Are we going to your place tonight?"
"When are you just gonna move all your stuff in?" he asked seriously, taking her hand in his. "You spend every night there anyway."
She shrugged and leaned into him, kissing him softly on the lips. "I don't know."
"Guys," Kwest groaned, covering his eyes. "Save it. We have work to do."
"Aww, Kwest is jealous, 'cause he's not getting any sweet lovin'," Jude teased, smirking at him.
He frowned at her. "Ha, ha. Very funny. Who says I'm not?"
"Dude, you spend all your time here with us," Tom reminded him.
"Exactly," Kwest said, nudging Jude's side and raising his eyebrows suggestively. Jude burst out laughing.
"Kwest, not funny." Tom narrowed his eyes at his best friend. "So not funny."
"Your girl seemed to think it was." Tom glared at him and Jude sobered up quickly, a sorry look on her face.
"Sorry, Tommy." She pressed her lips firmly against his in apology.
"Forgiven," he muttered, when they parted. Kwest made fake gagging noises and they all laughed.
"But seriously, we should get to work," Kwest insisted. "Some of us actually need sleep."
"Oh, the unfortunate," Jude joked, shoving him in the arm playfully.
Just then, Jude's cell phone began to play 'Time to Be Your 21.' The two guys cracked up. They loved it when her songs played as her ring tone.
She made a face and flipped her phone open. "Hello?"
"Jude, it's Sadie." Her sister sounded very panicked.
"Hey, Sade. What's up?" she asked, leaning back against the glass wall.
"Jude, you need to get home. It's Mom."
She leaned forward, eyebrow creased in worry. "What is it, Sadie? What's wrong with her?"
"I just found her...here. Please, just get home."
Jude took a deep breath, trying not to freak out. "Sadie, calm down. It's gonna take me a few minutes to get there. Just tell me what's wrong."
Sadie lost it. "I don't know, Jude! She was just laying there! And then I walked in...and I saw her...and...Oh, God. I hope she's not dead!" Jude could hear her sister start to sob over the phone.
"Sadie, hang on. I'll be right there." She flipped her phone shut and looked at Tom and Kwest who were both staring at her, apprehension on their faces. "It's my Mom. Something's wrong. I have to get home."
"I'll take you," Tom offered, grabbing his coat from the table. Jude bolted out the door before anyone could say anything else and Tom followed her silently. Hopping in his Viper, Tom started his car and pulled out of the parking lot.
Jude felt the tears stinging her eyes. "Oh, my God, Tommy! What if she's dead! I don't know what I'd do. I didn't even say 'I love you' to her today. And now she's gonna die and I'll never get to say it again. Oh, my God. I'm nineteen and I'm gonna lose my mom. What happened to her? Oh, God. Oh, God." She started hyperventilating, salty tears falling from her eyes.
Tom set a hand delicately on her knee. "Jude, it's gonna be okay. I promise."
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A/N - I know, I know. I'm evil. :3
15 reviews to get the update. :-D Anyone who can guess which Alexz Johnson song I took the title from gets to know what's up with Vic before I post! (This goes for every chapter in this story!)
Love,
JQ
