The Road back to Normal

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Instant Star, the Characters, the actors, or their likeness. I also do not own the line from the Wizard of Oz used for the title of the Chapter.

Yes this is a replacement to the first story I listed. I had written this version a while ago and liked it better. I just happened to find it so I am gonna put it up for everyone. Let me know what you think and If I should keep going with the story.- Thanks!

Chapter One: There's No Place Like Home

Takes place a year after the season finale.

Walking out of my London flat I marveled at the weather today. Some days its was so similar to Canada that it just made me long for the past that much more. It had been a long year since I left Canada, my friends, my family, since I lost my world or at least the center of it, Tommy. I had been thinking about him constantly since arriving in London, second guessing the move at every turn. I knew though that there was no going back, at least not with this contract looming over my head here. As time passed though I couldn't help but wonder if I could fix all of this, go home and get the piece of my life that was missing and make everything right again. I would have to come up with something because continuing down this path of loneliness just couldn't continue.

That was it, I had made up my mind. Sure I had been nervous but how hard could it possibly be to ask for some time off? It wasn't like I had been a recording fiend since I got here. I had decided to finagle time off by telling my arrogant douche of a producer Adrian that I would record while I was gone. Eventually after making promises to have weekly conference calls with the label they allowed me to get some time off. So here I am sitting on my bed throwing the last remnants of my cloths into one of the 3 suitcases sitting in front of me. The excitement and nervousness was almost too much for my heart and head to bare. I was finally heading back to Toronto.

24 Hours Later

It had been a long and thoughtful flight. Every moment of it spent thinking of how everyone would react to the unannounced return to my old stomping grounds. I had spoken often to Sadie but as that goes most of our conversations were always about her. Specifically her relationships, first with Darius which ended very quickly and quit messy, and then her reconciliation with Kwest which was going amazing since they had the bright idea to enter couples therapy. Sadie and I had reached an agreements that she wouldn't judge me on how I abandoned my old friends. It had gotten hard for her when she found out that Jaime and Speid had called me every 3 days for six months and I never answered. All I could do was tell her that I missed them too much and talking to them just made it worse. The worst was on day 278 in London when I looked down at my phone after recording and noticed a missed call. It was from Tommy. He didn't leave a message and I decided with the help of my sister that it would be best if I just didn't call him back. According to her it would be to hard on us so I hung up with her and cried myself to sleep.

"Mam' Mam'"...I felt a slight nudge. "Wake up" The taxi driver yelled impatiently.

I must have fallen asleep in the cab.

I yawned loudly and bit back " Yea"

"This is the residence you wanted to be dropped off at correct?"

I looked out the window and found myself face to face with my childhood home. It looked as if I had never left.

" It is" I replied.

I pulled out a 50 dollar bill and handed it to the man and requested that he keep the change.

"Wow! Thanks lady" he stated with enthusiasm before he hopped behind the wheel and took off.

I walked up and knew that once I passed through the door in front of me it would take me back to the world I missed so much and yearned for on a daily basis.

It couldn't hurt to just loose myself on this vacation, could it?

I put the key in the door and turned the knob quietly. Opening the door just enough to peak around the corner. I could see no sign of life. I walked in and retreated to my old room putting away my things and thinking that a short nap followed by a shower may be in order before heading off to reunite with my friends.

After waking up I took a quick shower. It felt so absolutely refreshing after the long flight. Once out I took time picking out a worn Van Morrison tee, perfectly fitted distressed jeans, and black converse sneakers. I hadn't cut my hair since moving and it was now situated in loose waves half way down my back. I stuck with the blonde although a gentleman at the salon suggested I dye the lower layers a darker shade of blonde to add what he so fondly put as "dimension". I did my makeup, grabbed my black leather jacket and headed out the door.

15 minutes later I arrived at the new building that housed NBR headquarters. It was a large 4 story building completely surrounded by windows. It was quit flashy and almost too intimidating for what I thought Jaime's tastes would be. I walked in excited to see my sister. She had taken a job here as the Head of Marketing and Financial Accounting for NBR after Gmajor folded from losing all of its talent. Now or never, so I went over to the very large reception desk and noticed a far too tan girl around 18 years old who looked like some incredulous knock off of Britney Spears.

"I'm here to see Sadie Harrison"

"And do you have an appointment" She spat out with an unearned arrogance.

" No but I am sure that if you called her and said that Jude was here to see her she would be more then willing to fit me into her schedule" I said with a bite in my voice.

She huffed and rolled her eyes "fine"

I heard her speaking almost inaudibly into the phone and then suddenly make a face of disgust before hearing a loud shriek on the other end. "OH MY GOD" came through the speaker in a voice that was unique to a very excited Sadie.

"She'll be down in a minute" She stated in a hushed tone.

I just nodded and started wondering around the spacious lobby. It was bright and edgy with lots of lighting. It was laid out with highly polished dark hard wood floors accompanied by burgundy walls with a cream trim. The furnishings of black area rugs, leather sofas, and art deco tables made the place seem professional and relax. Along the walls were gold and platinum records, large photos of all the artists that NBR represents and even a picture of Jamie and I on the day I won Instant Star 4 years ago.

I walked over and gently touched the highly polished picture from the day my life changed forever. That was when I heard him. His voice was the perfect concoction of smooth and cocky, just as I remembered it. He was bitching to some PR rep about how unmarketable the new band was that he now had the pleasure of producing. I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all and then almost immediately I lost my breath. He had walked close enough that I could make out his reflection in the picture. In that moment I heard him stop mid sentence and look up up. His voice hitched:

"Jude" he questioned almost inaudibly.

I felt a tear escape silently as I turned around ever so slowly to meet his gaze.