The month passed by quickly, and while I was sad that the break was over, I was happy to be getting back into the studio.

I still hadn't managed to write any decent songs, but maybe if I got back to work with someone else, the words and chords would come to me.

After getting ready I hurried out the door, and made it to the studio fifteen minutes later. As soon as I walked through the door, I knew something was wrong. No one would look at me, they just hurried about their business, barely glancing up to say hi.

As I walked towards the desk, Sadie looked at me sadly.

"Hey..what's going on, Sades? Why is everyone acting so strange?" I asked, still looking around the lobby.

"Jude," she began softly, "you need to go into Darius's office. It's important."

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, confused.

Sighing, she looked back at the iBook in front of her, "Let's just say it's not a good meeting. You should get in there."

Nodding, I turned toward his office, wondering what it could be. Did it have to do with Tommy? I still hadn't heard from him.

After two weeks of countless calls and voicemails not being returned, I finally let things be. I figured he'd be back soon, and I should just give him time.

Walking into the room, I was greeted by a very angry looking Darius, holding a large envelope.

"So, care to think again about whether or not anything else happened when you skipped out on your release party?" he said, almost shouting, "Anything?"

Cringing, I couldn't say anything. I looked down towards my feet, and shook my head no.

"Huh. You sure you didn't have a little bit of fun? That things didn't get a little out of hand?" He accused, drawing some papers out of the envelope, "Because these pictures of you would certainly say otherwise Jude."

Taking the pictures from his hand, I flipped through the grotesque images.

Me in a hotel room.

Me on a bed.

Me taking my shirt off.

"Oh god," I gasped, "I'm sorry Darius, I didn't know about these."

"How the hell are you going to try and tell me that? I'm supposed to believe that?" He shouted.

"I had a little bit to drink. There was a nice guy there. I don't really remember much. I sang 'There's Us' and then…I just remember waking up to Mason and Jamie," I weakly tried to explain.

"This little stunt is going to cost me big Jude. Fifty thousand dollars big," Darius began, starting to sound calmer, "But I'm going to give you the chance to make it up. You better clean up your act, and get me a hit record. Or else I'm releasing you from your contract-for real this time. Now get out of my office."

Turning, I almost sprinted out of the gaudy room, heading quickly towards Studio C. Collapsing against the door, I sobbed uncontrollably. How could things have gotten so out of hand?