AN: A lot will be explained in this chapter, a lot left to your imagination, and some of it will be a perfect setup for the next chapter. I decided to put in a Christmas party, since it'll be Christmas soon, but the fact that it is will play a big part in a future chapter. As always, please read and review. Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Instant Star, 24 Hours, Jude, Tommy, or any of the characters. But I really wish I did. I love Tim Rozon! And Alexz rocks!
Chapter 4:
After what seemed like an eternity, Jude turned around to glare at me with her it's-all-your-fault look. I decided to break the silence by trying to keep the peace, at least for the moment.
Me: "Look, Jude, I know we'd both rather be anywhere but here, but as it's out of our control…"
Jude: "You know what, Quincy? I'd rather sit here in silence with you than to hear anything you have to say."
Me (finally having enough of her verbal assaults): "Jude, what's your problem?"
Jude: "My problem is you. Always having to be in and out of the tabloids, always having everyone running around trying to please you. Well, you know what? Everything's not always about you. Like anyone cares about every little move you make, where you go on vacation, or your current flavor of the week.
Me: "You took the words right out of my mouth."
Jude: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Me (mimicking Jude): "Look at me, everyone, I'm Jude Harrison! G Major's first ever Instant Star. I have such a hard time adjusting from normal teen to Canada's newest national sensation, since my parents are too strict, my sister has to be the best at everything, and school is such a bore. I have it so hard, people should just be forever grateful for my presence."
Jude: "Hey! I'm not that bad. At least not as bad as you!"
Me (clutching my heart pretending to be deeply wounded): "Ouch, girl. I get it, OK? Now Georgia wants me to work with you so that you can perform 24 Hours in time for your first gig."
Jude: "I've already told you, I'm not rewriting it. Not for anyone."
Me: "OK, fine, but if your single tanks, don't say I didn't warn you."
Jude: "What if we asked Georgia to listen to it, and get a better, I mean second, opinion?"
Me: "You want to ask Georgia even though I've actually been in the music biz for years and am one of the hottest writer/producers ever?"
Jude (knowing she got the best of me): "Yeah, got a problem with that?"
Me (inwardly laughing at the irony of her question): "No, of course not."
We started working on Jude's song, and about halfway through, Georgia came in.
"How's it going, guys?" she asked.
Jude, relieved that Georgia came to rescue her from being with me any longer, blurted out: "Great, Georgia! We're almost done rewriting the lyrics, and we're this close to finding the right chord progressions."
Georgia replied, "That's great, Jude. I'm sure whatever you come up with will blow Eden right out of the water."
Jude smiled, and resumed working. Meanwhile, Georgia motioned for me to follow her out into the hallway where we could talk.
"How's it really coming along, Tom?" she said. I'm still amazed at how well she can read me. But then again, you gotta be able to read people well, especially in this business, and Georgia was one of the best.
"Fine, Georgia. Jude's finally gotten off her pedestal, and she's finally willing to be serious about what she's doing. You know I had my doubts about her, but now I can see why you chose her over everyone else."
"I knew you'd eventually see things my way," Georgia replied, gloating and grinning like a kid who'd just snuck a few cookies out of the jar without her mom knowing. "As long as you're not busy, can you help me set up for our Christmas party that we're having in two days?"
"Sure, but you could have given me more notice. I mean, two days? Who could plan a party that fast and make sure that it went smoothly? We'll definitely need more help," I said.
Georgia responded, "I asked Kwest to help, and E.J. was initially in charge, but with everything that's been going on lately, and with E.J. driving us all crazy trying to get everything just perfect, we're now behind schedule."
"OK, I'll do what I can to help," I said. Even though I didn't think it'd work out, I just love it when we all get together and have our annual G Major Christmas party. The food, the drinks, the conversations with family and friends, it's better than anything I'd ever want.
Georgia (totally on top of everything as always): "OK, we still need to put up decorations. E.J.'s working on the invitations and catering, Kwest's helping to put up candles, the tree, the lights, putting gifts under the tree, and working on arranging the music. You can help Kwest put up the tree, the lights, and arrange music, and we'll pretty much have the rest all taken care of."
I smiled, remembering last year's party ended rather memorably. "OK, but if the light bulbs overheat and set the tree on fire like they did last time, then don't blame me. I had nothing to do with it. It was all Kwest."
Georgia (bursts out laughing at the memory): "Sure, whatever you say. But I'll put the fire department on speed dial just in case."
Jude (finally coming out of Studio C, with guitar in hand): "Hey, what's going on?"
Georgia walks away, still chuckling. "We're just planning our annual Christmas party," I explained.
"Can I help?" Jude asked eagerly.
"Didn't know you were into that sort of thing." I commented.
"Who isn't? Oh wait, that must be you, Mr. Scrooge," Jude said, smirking.
"For your information, Georgia has me roped into putting the tree and the lights up, and arranging the music."
"Oh, no," Jude groaned.
"What is it?" I asked, concerned. I thought maybe she didn't feel well or forgot something she was supposed to do.
"It's nothing, except I don't want to hear 'Pick up the Pieces' set to Christmas music, OK? It's bad enough I have to hear Sadie sing it off-key 24/7."
"Come on, you know it won't be that bad," I coaxed. It was still surprising to me how we shared the same dislike for cheesy boyband music, but I didn't want to admit it to her, at least not yet. "Let's go pick out some songs to play before E.J. forces us to do her bidding."
"OK," Jude conceded, surprising me once again.
Meanwhile, Georgia went to find Kwest, who was busy putting lights around the lounge. "Hey, Kwest," she said, greeting him.
"Hey, Georgia," Kwest responded. He looked around carefully. "Do you think Tommy suspects anything?"
Georgia answered, "No, he couldn't possibly. Should we let Jude in on our little secret?"
Kwest: "No, because then she won't come. What if we made it part Christmas party, part celebration in her honor?"
Georgia: "Great idea. Then neither of them will suspect anything. Let's get on it right away."
Kwest (loving the thought of it): "You got it."
AN: What do Georgia and Kwest have up their sleeves? And are they the only ones in on this? Only I know, and you will too, just as soon as you review this chapter.