A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews, guys! They really make my day (and make me want to write more!)

Under My Skin

Chapter 4

Jude was in the process of calling her mom for a ride home, because there was no way she was asking Tommy for one. He hadn't tried to follow her out, and Jude had a feeling it had something to do with the fact that the studio was busy that day. Plenty of people around to see her and Tommy argue.

"Ass." Jude cursed silently to herself, fumbling in her bag for her phone. She had it in her hand when she heard Georgia call her name. She turned around as the older woman stopped in front of her. "Hey, Georgia."

"Jude, I'm glad I caught you." Georgia gave her a short smile. "Listen, I know you didn't want a party this year, but the label wants to throw one for you anyway." Jude started to protest, but Georgia raised a hand to stop her. "It's just a small one, a few people here and there. And… there's a present included." Jude was about to say no, but paused, considering. Well, she wouldn't mind getting a present…

"What kind of present?" She questioned suspiciously. Georgia smiled.

"The really good kind." Jude watched her for a moment, thinking. It wouldn't be that bad. It definitely couldn't be as bad as last year. And she could bring Jamie and Kat. And she'd get a present…

"Okay, fine," she sighed, glancing sideways at Georgia. "But I get to pick what I wear."

"At least let E.J go with you to pick something out." Jude rolled her eyes.

"Fine." She turned to walk to the parking lot. "It better be a good present!" She heard Georgia laugh behind her. Jude turned and started walking again towards the parking lot. She flipped her phone open, intending to call her mom when she spotted Shay slipping into, surprisingly, not a limo, but rather a car. Of course, it was a Porsche Boxster, which in some opinions, hers included, was way better then a limo.

Jude glanced down at her phone, then back to Shay. Well… why make her mom drive all the way over here when Shay could easily give her a ride? Her mind made up, Jude slipped her phone back into her bag and quickly walked over to Shay. He looked surprised when he spotted her.

"Got room for one more?" Jude grinned at him, sticking her hands in her pockets. Shay grinned back, nodding his head.

"Hop in."

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"Are you sure it isn't… uh… I don't know. What is it?" Jude glanced up at the mirror past her reflection to Kat's. They were at a clothing store in the mall, which EJ had, of course, had closed just for Jude. She'd tried to refuse, but, well… it was EJ. It was easier to just let her do what she wanted. And besides, having a store all to yourself? Not that bad.

"It's hot, Jude." Kat spoke, grinning at her. "That's what it is." Jude glanced back at her own reflection. She had on her black converse, snug worn jeans, and a gorgeous black corset with lace and ribbon, which she was starting to fall madly in love with. She grinned.

"Okay… I do look pretty good." Kat nodded.

"Totally. But… it needs something." Jude glanced back at Kat as she disappeared behind a corner. After a moment, she came racing back. She handed Jude what looked like a black ribbon.

"Uh… what am I supposed to do with this?" Kat rolled her eyes, grabbed the ribbon, and proceeded to tie it around Jude's neck. She stepped back once she was done, and Jude had to agree with her. The outfit looked perfect now.

"Nice." She spoke, while turning to EJ, who had been talking on her cell phone. EJ glanced over and almost did a double take. She snapped her phone shut and walked over to Jude. She looked her up and down. Jude grinned.

"How'd we do?" EJ nodded.

"Not bad." She spoke, glancing at Kat for a moment. "The press will love it."

"The press isn't the only one who's going to love it." Kat spoke, looking at Jude meaningfully. Of course, Jude knew who she was referring to. Tommy. EJ was back on her phone, and Jude shook her head at Kat, but glanced back in the mirror, looking at herself. Okay, maybe she had picked the outfit out with Tommy in mind, but she definitely wasn't going to admit to it.

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"Jamie, hurry up! We're going to be late!" Kat was looking anxious, glancing at Jude, who was dressed and ready, sitting on the sofa with a magazine, and the bathroom, where Jamie was still doing god knows what.

"I'll be done in a minute!" Jamie's voice shouted back. Jude covered her mouth with her had, trying to contain her laughter. She really didn't care if they were late. And it was just plain amusing to watch Kat stress out over the fact that Jamie takes longer in the bathroom then either of them do. Put together. Kat narrowed her eyes at her.

"Jude, it's your party! Don't you want him to hurry up?" Jude shrugged.

"Whatever. I don't really care. It's just going to be a bunch of people I don't know—" Kat was looking at her with that look and Jude shut up. She rolled off the sofa and walked over to the bathroom. "JAMIE, IF YOU DON'T GET OUT OF THAT BATHROOM RIGHT NOW I WILL INFORM EVERY PERSON I KNOW ABOUT THAT LITTLE INCIDENT YOU HAD IN THE SEVENTH GRADE—" the door suddenly swung open and Jamie appeared, looking scared.

"Okay, okay." He walked out and grabbed his jacket off the sofa. "I wasn't in there that long." Kat and Jude rolled their eyes, grabbing their jackets as well and walking towards the door. Jamie stopped Jude before she could follow Kat out. "What happened in the seventh grade was a secret, okay? And it's not something I want people to know and—"

"It's okay, Jamie." Jude coughed, trying to contain her laughter yet again. "I won't tell anyone." Jamie looked relieved.

"Good. Because then," Jamie shut the door behind them as they walked out, looking mischievous, "I'd have to tell people about that one time you drank toilet water."

"Jamie! I was three! And you drank it with me!"

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They'd been at the party for about an hour, and after her entrance Jude had been hanging out with Jamie and Kat, talking and mingling with the other guests. She'd gotten her present when she first got here, and it had been totally worth coming for. Jude now had a brand new black BMW convertible. It was a beauty. She was so attached she had the keys in her back pocket.

"Happy Birthday, Jude." Jude glanced up when the words were spoken, somewhat surprised. Her dad smiled at her.

"Dad… hi." Jamie and Kat said a quick hello to her dad and ran off, leaving Jude alone with him. She gave him a tight smile, unsure what else to say. She'd barely spoken to her dad since he'd left. A few phone calls here and there, but really… nothing. And it sucked. She missed her dad, but she was still so upset with him. "I didn't… know you were coming."

"And miss my little girl's birthday? No way!" He glanced around, scanning the crowd. He gaze moved back to Jude after a moment. "Jude… I know things have been strained with us lately, but I don't want that anymore."

"Guess you should have thought of that before, Dad." As soon as she spoke the words, her dad's face fell. He looked down for a moment.

"Jude, I know I made a mistake, but you're my daughter, and I want to be in your life." Jude glanced away, trying to control her emotions.

"Well right now, Dad, my life is pretty messed up, okay? I have to deal with you and mom and Sadie and… it's really hard. Mom's doing okay. But you and Sadie… god, I've barely talked to you since that night, and Sadie… I've barely spoken to her either—"

"What?" Stuart Harrison looked shocked. "You… you and Sadie haven't been talking?"

"No… not really. I mean, it was messy between us before she left, but now that she's at college we barely talk. God, dad, how could you not know that? Sadie practically hates me. She blames me for what happened between you and mom—" Jude stopped, sighing. "I'm not… I don't want to do this. I have to go."

"Jude—"

"Don't, dad." Jude turned and walked away, quickly moving towards the studios in the back. Jamie and Kat popped out of nowhere and Jude jumped.

"Jude, are you okay? I mean, we could—"

"I'm fine, I just… I just want to be alone for a minute, okay?" She spoke softly. Jamie opened his mouth, about to say something, but Jude interrupted. "Seriously, I'm fine. Just give me a minute, okay? If I'm not out in five minutes I give you permission to send a search party, okay?" She waited for them to agree before turning again and heading for the studio.

"Jude, we saw Sadie." Jamie spoke quickly. Jude turned back around, shocked. "We just wanted to tell you."

"Oh… thanks." She felt a small spark of hope. Sadie had come to her party to see her. Maybe they would start talking again. They could hang out… be sisters again. Because after the past year, Jude knew that not having her sister was a real downer. She missed her. Her hopes soaring, Jude still headed for the studio. She wanted to think about things for a moment before going to find Sadie and facing everyone else again.

She pushed the door open to studio B, which she had been working in the past few weeks. As soon as the door flew open, she froze, her hopes completely crashing and burning. She went cold, staring at what, or rather who, was standing in front of her. Tommy and Sadie had been in the room, kissing. Jude had walked in on Tommy… and Sadie. Kissing. Tommy, the guy she pretty much loved, and Sadie, her own sister.

"Jude—" Tommy had broken away from Sadie. He started walking towards Jude. She put her hand up, and he stopped. "Jude, this isn't—" Jude didn't wait to see what Tommy had to say. She walked out of the room quickly, pushing past people to get outside. Once she was there she ran towards her new car and, grabbing the keys out of her pocket, jumped in and started the ignition. Her hands had started to shake, and the tears she had tried to stop before overflowed from her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. She heard someone call her name, and quickly put the car into gear and sped out of the parking lot.

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Jude didn't get very far. She wasn't stupid, and when her hands kept shaking and she could barely see through her tears, she pulled into the closet place she could, which just happened to be the dock where Tommy and she went to together to write songs occasionally. An added bonus to the evening.

"God! I'm so stupid!" Jude banged her fists on the steering wheel. She jumped when the horn sounded, which made her even angrier. She jumped out of the car, walking towards the water. Once she got there, she sat down on the rocks, watching as the water moved by slowly. Her life was so messed up.

TBC…

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