AN: I was watching High School Musical while writing this and since that movie makes me so damn happy, I had a hard time writing this. I went to sleep and totally forgot where I was going with this when I stopped. I don't own "Total Eclipse of the Heart". That belongs to Bonnie Tyler.
Chapter 6
There are moments in your life that you would like to keep alive in you forever, memories that you wish would be as fresh as if you had just lived through them. Memories that you would like to carve into your heart and paint them on your eyes for everyone to see, for everyone to see that they make you whole, that they are alive, and they are a part of you.
They are full of so much happiness and joy that they invade you before you even realize you are thinking about them, but also so full of sadness that your heart breaks all over again by just remember a single word from them. These are the moments you cannot forget, even if you choose to do so, because they turned you into who you are, because they make you who you are.
She had many memories like those.
Sweet 16.
Second album.
Divorcing Parents.
And now, a 22nd birthday to look forward to.
---
As he neared the Harrison farm, he pulled out an old CD mix Jude had made him for in celebration of wrapping her fourth album. Giving each other gifts had become a tradition between the two of them ever since her first album. He pressed play and the familiar sounds of one of the songs Jude like to call 'theirs' filled his car.
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming round
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair as he thought back to that fateful day. It was a day that would haunt his memories forever.
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears
Everyday, he tried to convince himself that he had done the right thing, that he had done what was best for the best of them.
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by
All he wanted was for Jude to be happy. Even if it meant that she wouldn't be with him, he would have to deal. Right now, he couldn't love her the she wanted to be loved. He couldn't love her the way she needed to be loved. He couldn't love her the way she deserved to be loved.
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart
She deserved someone who could love her completely and unselfishly. She deserved someone who could love her and every single thing about her. She deserved someone who would love her as if she were the only person that matter, as if their very existence depended on it. And even if he fulfilled each and every one of those things, he wasn't sure if he was ready for something like that.
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart
He pulled into the driveway and sat in his car, ready to turn around and go back home. The tears falling on his shirt collar were bittersweet as the song came to an end.
Nothing I can say, a total eclipse of the heart
----
"SURPRISE!"
Her hands covered her mouth, as her eyes grew big.
"Happy 22nd, baby sis," Sadie yelled as she enveloped Jude in a hug. "By the way, I have a special gift for you," she whispered in her ear.
Speechless, she looked around at who is there.
Kwest.
Portia.
Mason.
Jamie.
Speed.
Kat.
Tommy.
Briefly, their eyes locked as he mouthed, 'Happy birthday.'
She tore her gaze away from him and landed on someone unfamiliar. Her blue eyes met the greenest eyes she had ever seen. Green. Everything green reminds her of his eyes. The green grass, the green leaves on the trees, it all reminds her of the green of his lovely eyes.
Sadie noticed and is instantly pleased. Her birthday gift was turning out to be a hit. "And, who is he?" Jude whispered to Sadie, obviously intrigued.
"Eric. He's your gift."
"What, like a stripper?"
"Just go talk to him."
Tommy noticed and instantly felt his chest tighten with jealousy. That guy wasn't allowed to look at Jude like that. That guy wasn't allowed to smile at Jude like that. That guy wasn't allowed to make Jude feel like that. Shaking his head of his thoughts, he reminded himself that he no longer has a say in that department. He was the one who had walked away.
He watched as they make their way outside, away from prying eyes. Instinctively, he wanted to follow them, but he knew that Jude wouldn't want her privacy to be invaded like that.
---
She settled on a bench on the patio that overlooked the field and the horses in front of them. The air was fresh and the sky was crystal clear.
He watched as she closed her eyes in content and lifted her face to the sun and breathed to take in the country air.
She had to fight the powerful yearning she had to be near him, to touch him in reassurance that he was real, and that someone could actually be attracted to her. After all, they had just met and haven't even spoken more than two words to each other. Words however, weren't necessary. They had a connection, and that was enough for her.
She felt his presence and then a gentle finger on her face as a strand of hair was swept away from her face. He settled next to her on the bench, and she scooted back to rest easily against his chest. His arm encircled her waist and held her there. She instinctively rested her arm on top of his as their fingers entwined intimately.
"So, Jude, how am I doing as a birthday gift?" he asked with a small chuckle.
"Remind me to thank Sadie later."
For the first time in a long time, she felt happy.
---
Tommy watched as the two walked back in hand in hand. If he could throw up right there he would, but he didn't think anyone would appreciate it. They had just started their usual round of random karaoke and Speed and his big mouth had just volunteered Jude to sing. As usual, Speed had also volunteered him. He stuck his hand in the hat and pulled out a song for them to sing.
"Total Eclipse of the Heart! Woohoo!" he yelled as he jumped back onto the couch. "Let's get it on!"
Reluctantly, the two of them grabbed the microphones from Speed's outstretched hands. The haunting piano starts as Tommy began.
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit restless and I dream of something wild
As he turned to face Jude and saw her avoiding his eyes as she sang.
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit helpless and I'm lying like a child in your arms
His mind ran crazy as he imagined the two of them in bed, his hands running up and down her sides as his lips capture hers.
Their eyes finally meet as they continue together
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit terrified but then I see the look in your eyes
Her mind raced as she remembered the look in his eyes the moment after their kiss at her house. She closes her eyes and allowed her mind to wander to what might have been.
And
I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
His hands. His lips. His touch.
And if you only hold me
tight
We'll be holding on forever
Fantasy and memory had hovered dangerously close to one another and threatened to intertwine. There were moments like these, when she'd ask herself whether or not it had actually occurred. Her dreams fooled her at night and now her thoughts did too. But the fantasy had always ended there. The memory had never even gotten started. It would never be made.
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll
never be wrong together
He made his way closer toward her and noticed the pained expression on her face. Everyone else has disappeared and it is just him and Jude.
And their song.
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like
a shadow on me all of the time
Opening her eyes, she realized how close he had come to her as she finished.
Once
upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling
apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
It was her way of letting go. Her way of telling him she was officially done with whatever they had or what they could have had. From now on, he would just be Tom Quincy, the man who produced her records. Nothing more.
