Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star but, I do however own the songs and/or poetry used here. If I didn't write it then I will give credit to the original artists or writers.

Chapter 7: Old Friends and Guilt

"Chaz, man what are you doing here?" I asked stunned to see my old friend in my living room.

"I heard from Georgia, and then I couldn't believe it so I had to come and see it for myself." He said. I wasn't sure if he meant the album or Jude.

"Which part did Georgia tell you?"

"Everything, she kinda told me last night, only because I was coming up here right as she was leaving, and she didn't want me to walk in on anything." I was hoping he meant the album but, I guess my fate had another plan.

"Man, keep it quiet. Please." I looked at him pleadingly.

"I am but, damn Little Tommy Q actually wanting to settle down. It just amazes me." Chaz said.

"Why? I can be that type of guy."

"Really, Well let's see Portia, that lasted a few months and then you cheated on her with Angie, oh yeah may I ad that you and Portia were married. Then there's your model addiction isn't that why you broke up with Sadie, in the first place? Or, did she break up with you for cheating on her?"

"Hold on. First off, me and Portia were drunk and we tried to make it work and it didn't we were better off friends. Then I met Angie, and I really did love her, I was going to ask her to marry me, and then I never in my life cheated on Sadie. I love Jude, and I will never in my life hurt her." I said and he was amazed because he never heard those words come out of my mouth.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I didn't know how much you loved Jude. Last year I never expected you to love a girl that is six years younger than you."

"Oh yeah, by the way, I don't have a model addiction." I added. He smiled and we both busted into laughter.

"So where is Jude tonight?"

"She's at home. Her mother backhanded me today for dating her and called me a pedophile."

"Damn, I guess she remember Sadie and just went off."

"No she just doesn't like me." I bluntly stated.

"So why are you here?" I asked him.

"I'm here with the rest of the band, with Shay and Eden too. They are opening for us on the reunion tour. You know what?"

"What?"

"You should perform with us one night only?"

"No. Last year was the final time I ever do that again. Sorry man, not going to happen."

"Can we come in?" It was Shay. I knew something good wasn't going to come of this.

"Sure." They walked inside and over to Chaz.

"I'd have invited you guys up if I knew you were here."

"No problem, we just got tired of sitting in the car." Eden said.

"Why is Jude's guitar case here?" Shay asked

"She's been having problems and she's been staying here the last couple of days. She's back at home, she just has to come and get her stuff." I told him. I wasn't exactly lying to them. Chaz looked at me and I gave him my death look and he pushed back what he was about to say.

"Oh, do you know what kind of problems, if you don't mind me asking." Shay said. He was getting nosy again which was another reason that I didn't like him.

"Not sure. She didn't tell me everything on tiny bits and pieces."

"Oh." That was all he said, maybe that shut up his curiosity.

I heard 'All around me' go off and I knew it was Jude.

"Hey. What's up?" I asked her.

"I need a favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"I want you to come and get me."

"What happened to your car?"

"I kind of don't have one. I walked the ten miles to your house the other night." She admitted, and I knew she didn't want to.

"What's going on exactly?" I asked her and she knew I could tell if she was lying.

"My Uncle Jason came over here, my mom called him trying to talk some sense into me about dating you and me and he-"She started to cry. I knew something was really wrong.

"Jude, what happened? JUDE" I yelled and there was no answer.

"NO, PLEASE DON'T NO." I heard her struggling and yelling in the background. Whoever it was didn't know it was on the phone.

I closed the phone and ran out of the house and down to my car. I put the key in the ignition and started it. I saw Chaz, Shay and Eden come down after me and I sped off really fast something bad was going on at Jude's but, I had no idea of what it was. When I got there the house was dark and no one was there.

I turned off the car and walked up to the door. It was unlocked and the second door was all the way open. I ran up the stairs into Jude's room and she was passed out on the floor. Her shirt was ripped and her hands and face were bloody. I carefully picked her up bridal style and took her down to the car. I drove to the hospital as fast as I could when we got there I rushed to the emergency room.

When I walked in, I told the on staff nurse all that I knew. I told her that I was on the phone with her and I heard screaming and then the line went dead and then when I got there the doors were unlocked and open and I found Jude on the floor and I brought her here.

It took the doctor's forever running tests and checking her. I filled out the paperwork for Jude and everything in between. I knew that the press was going to have a field day with this. Then I didn't know what I was going to say to the doctor but, I knew that I was going to have to think fast.

"Is anyone here with Jude Harrison?" The doctor asked.

"I am" I got up and walked over to him.

"We only give out information to family."

"I'm her fiancé." I told him.

"Alright, Ms. Harrison had four broken ribs, a badly sprained ankle and a broken wrist. She has a mild concussion and we need to keep her overnight for observation." I felt a tear well up in my eye, and I let it fall.

"Thank you. Can I see her now?"

"Yes, right this way." We walked back to her room. I saw her, lying there unconscious. She had a busted lip, and a deep cut in her check that needed stitches, she had a black cast, and she was just lying there helpless, and broken.

I did this. Not physically but, emotionally. I let her go home, even though I didn't know what would have happened. I didn't think, I let her do what she wanted to do. I love her and if I could have went over there like my gut said to this wouldn't have happened. I know that she would tell me not to blame myself but, I can't help it. If we hadn't made our relationship public, then she wouldn't be here, I know what I have to do and I don't want to.