A/N: I know it's been awhile. But I'm back now, I swear! This story is nearing the end guys. I want you guys to know that I appreciate your reviews SO MUCH. They're one of the leading sources that keep me writing. And someone asked how old Jude and Tommy were in this story...well, you actually find out in this chapter! Isn't that convenient? Haha. Anyway. Please review, guys. PLEASE. And enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Instant Star or Konstantine by Something Corporate. Blah blah blah.
Part Seven
Jude was up on the stage in British Columbia, singing her heart out. "I tried to tell you I've got to get away." Jude stared out at the audience and did a double take as her eyes landed upon a familiar face. A small smile graced her lips and her voice strengthened. He was there. "I tried to say I need my space…"
She was singing the song to him, and Tommy knew it very well. Their eyes never left each other.
Later on in the concert, Jude's eyes found Tommy's again. He sitting in the front row with that look on his face, and it filled her with emotion. "I ran to you like water. I threw my body in." She took a deep breath and gave him a penetrating stare, speaking to him through the lyrics. "And I'll stand up on the ocean just to show that I am strong." Her eyes softened. "Strong." Jude looked away. "But what if I am wrong?"
Soon after, the song came to a close with the final notes of the piano. After the applause faded, Jude whispered into the microphone, looking directly at Tommy. "Stop being so scared." He looked down. Jude spoke again, "I've got one last song for you all tonight." The audience cheered, and her tone brightened. Tommy looked up as the first chords of There's Us began to play. A small smile crossed his lips, and Jude grinned.
The song wasn't a particularly upbeat one, but the song always made her smile. It was a nostalgic song, and despite some of the sadness within the song, it always gave her a small sense of hope when she sang it. "There's me, looking down at my shoes. The one smiling like the sun, that's you…" The smile stayed on her face throughout the performance, and it eventually came to a close. The concert was over, and she thanked the crowd for coming out. As she exited the stage, Jude motioned with her head at Tommy and gave him a pointed look, communicating to meet her.
A few minutes later, Tommy met Jude back stage. "Hey girl," he greeted her with a soft smile. It was only moments before Jude gave into the urge to run into his arms. She breathed deeply, taking in his scent.
Jude took Tommy's hands in hers. "What are you doing here?" she asked breathlessly.
Tommy smiled. "I guess I just couldn't stay away."
"Well," Jude began, "I'm glad you couldn't."
Very slowly, for the first time in a long while, Jude and Tommy's faces inched closer to one another, and Tommy captured Jude's lips in a gentle, soft kiss, as if testing the waters. Within moments, he deepened the kiss. Tongues caressed tongues, and lips slid…
FLASH.
Tommy and Jude broke apart.
FLASH.
Paparazzi had somehow found their way back stage and had caught the kiss on camera.
Tommy chuckled. "That's going to be in the paper tomorrow morning."
Jude groaned and leaned her against Tommy's chest as they took more pictures. Eventually, security got them out, and Jude and Tommy were left by themselves once more. Tommy glanced at her watch. 12:05 AM. He grinned widely and brushed a strand of hair out of Jude's face. "Happy birthday, girl."
Jude's eyes lit up. "What time is it?"
"12:05. You're officially nineteen years old. So what are we doing to celebrate?"
She raised her eyebrows, "You really have to ask?"
An hour later Jude and Tommy were at a bar, drinking and dancing. She was just over an hour past the legal drinking age in BC, and Jude was making the best of it. Many hours and shots later, the bartender called a cab for them.
"Shit," Tommy muttered. "I still have to get myself a room."
Jude patted him on the shoulder harder than necessary. "'S'okay. You can stay in my room."
Tommy's grin was a bit too wide for the question that followed: "You sure that's a good idea?"
"Yeah!" Jude smiled. "We can watch of movie or something."
Tommy nodded enthusiastically. "Or something."
Once inside the hotel, both Jude and Tommy struggled for quite some time to figure out how to work the key card.
"No! No, no, no! The light needs to flash green first!" Tommy explained with a drunken exuberance.
"But Tom-myy," Jude began in whining voice, "There's no light!"
"There's always a light!"
"Nuh-uh!"
This continued for several minutes until finally, the man next door helped them with a roll of the eyes. "Damn kids," he muttered under his breath as he walked away.
Jude tried hard not to cackle (not that she cackled).
Once inside the room, Tommy and Jude made slurred conversation with exuberant gestures. They sang drunkenly, thinking whatever jumbled string of words that left the mouths would be the next big hit. And, of course, there was the kissing. They always used alcohol as an excuse, and this was no exception. Fumbling hands, soft caresses, and bruising kisses were prominent throughout the night.
It was late, very late – or early rather – when Jude and Tommy fell asleep.
Tommy was the first to awake, as he usual was. He planted a kiss on Jude's temple, and grabbed a pen, writing a note on the hotel paper pad.
How's that song about us coming?
Happy Birthday, girl.
-T
Tommy quietly left Jude's hotel room, only to find a complimentary newspaper at her door containing a picture of the night prior's big kiss on the front page.
- - - - -
This is to a girl who got into my head Spin around me like a dream I miss you
With all the pretty things she did
Hey, You know, you keep me up in bed
This is to a girl who got into my head
With all these fucked up things I did
Hey maybe baby, you could keep me up in bed
My Konstantine
We played out on this movie screen
And I said,
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
End of Part Seven.
Two more chapters to go, guys. Two more chapters, and this is all over. I know we can make it, yeah? Please review!
