Disclaimer: I do not own Instant Star or the characters in this story.
Note: Thank you so much to all that are reading my story. Here are a few responses for the reviews to chapter 8.
Danni16: I am really happy that you like the storyline of Jude and Tommy meeting when she's seventeen. I thought it would be good it she wasn't quite so off limits.
Sazonlatino: I thought Tommy and Spied were funny in the last chapter too. Boys will be boys.
Raph33: Don't worry there is more of Jude and Tommy to come. Thank you for loving my story!
Thinkpink14148: I loved the comparison of Tommy, Jude, and Spied to Edward, Bella, and Jacob. I never thought about it like that before, although I have thought about some similarities between Tommy and Edward. It's weird because I started writing this story before I read Twilight, ( and now I am obsessed with all things Edward) but I wanted Tommy to be just wonderful instead of how he was on the show most of the time.
Danni.15: I am so glad that you found my story. I try to update every weekend. Thank you for the awesome compliment on my writing.
Mom2alandbec: You finally reviewed. Yay! I liked the "Whatever, dork" comment. It really does fit with how Tommy and Spied interact with each other on the show. I guess you will have to wait and find out if these to have a knock down, drag out or not. Hehe!
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Chapter 9: It's Just So Frustrating
Jude finally had appeared from the kitchen, she had a bowl of popcorn in her hand, "Hey Spied, who was at theā¦" Jude automatically stopped when she saw Tommy standing in the doorway. She wasn't expecting him, not that she didn't want to see him but she was still in her pajamas and her hair was up in a messy ponytail. And then of course there was the wonderful eye patch. Could she have looked any sexier?
As soon as Tommy saw Jude, his face softened into a sweet smile, "Hey, how are you feeling today?" Tommy couldn't help but think about how cute Jude looked in her tank top and sleep pants. He really just wanted to grab her and hug her. The sound of Tommy's voice gave Jude a feeling of bliss, "Hi Tommy. I am sorry I didn't call you last night. I was only up for a little while before I fell back asleep again. I am feeling better though."
Tommy guessed as much, "It's alright. I knew that you would be tired. I'm just glad that you got some rest." Jude and Tommy were just standing there lost in each other's eyes. This was starting to be the norm for these two. However, Spied had seen enough and it was actually starting to make him sick but also furious at the same time. He decided that is was time for him to speak, "Uh Jude, I see that you have the popcorn. Are we ready to watch the movie?" He was secretly thinking, "Please God, let her say yes and tell Tommy to leave."
Jude glanced at Spied, "In just minute. I need to speak to Tommy. Okay?" A huge smile spread across Tommy's face as Spied grabbed the bowl of popcorn out of Jude's hands and sulked back to the living room. Why did Tommy have to come along and mess up his perfect day with Jude? Spied didn't know how much more he could take of Tommy Quincy butting into his relationship with Jude or at least the one he wanted to have with her.
After Jude made sure that Spied had left the room, she asked Tommy if she could talk to him outside. Jude opened the front door and walked out. Tommy followed directly behind her. Both of them sat down on the first step beside each other. Their shoulders brushed against each other for a brief second, and Tommy had to fight the instinct to grab Jude's hand. He longed to have physical contact with her. Even if it was something as simple as holding her hand.
Although she was very nervous, Jude knew that she had to talk to Tommy about what happened the day before. "I want to thank you for coming to check on me yesterday and staying with me while Sadie was gone. It really means a lot to know that you were concerned about me." Tommy wanted to tell her how much of an understatement she had just made. He was far beyond just being concerned about her, "I wanted to make sure that you were alright. There is no place I would have rather been."
Those words put an instant smile on Jude's face, "Tommy, I have to be honest with you. I can't remember anything about yesterday. Sadie told me that you came to see me, and she also told me how she found us on the couch. Is that true?" Jude had an ill feeling in her stomach as she waited for Tommy's answer.
Tommy had the feeling that Jude wouldn't remember anything, "Somehow I knew you were going to say that you couldn't remember. But it's true, Sadie found us all cuddled up on the couch. You wanted me to sit with you, so I did and then we fell asleep."
Jude couldn't help but wonder if there was something that Tommy wasn't telling her, "Is that all? We were in each other's arms and I don't remember how it happened. It's just so frustrating."
Before Tommy had a chance to think his arm went up and around Jude's shoulder and he pulled her towards him. Her head was resting gently against his side as he spoke to her, "Jude, I would have never held you like that if I didn't think that is was what you wanted or that is was okay. I know you don't remember anything from yesterday, but I wouldn't change a moment of it."
Jude lifted her head to meet Tommy's eyes and just as their faces were slowly coming towards each other, they heard a clicking noise. Then they could see the flashing of lights coming from cameras in the distance. Stupid paparazzi!
When Tommy and Jude realized what was going on, Tommy grabbed Jude's arm and led her back into the house. With the sound of the door closing, Spied came out of the living room. He saw the odd looks on the faces of the two people in front of him, "What happened? You two look like you are in shock or something."
Jude was extremely upset that the paparazzi were taking pictures of her but she was even more upset that they had interrupted such a private moment between her and Tommy. Then she just imagined what the next day's headlines would be. It had been a while since she had been in the tabloids, but she should have known that spending time with Tommy would give the press plenty to talk about.
Tommy just kept apologizing to Jude, he never would have put her in such a position if he had known the press was nearby. Jude could tell that he was getting agitated and so she tried to calm him, "It's not your fault Tommy. This kind of thing just happens. When two celebrities start hanging out, it's only a matter of time until the press shows up. Don't worry about it."
Hearing this, Spied was not going to be as kind as Jude, "Now look what you've done Quincy, tomorrow Jude's face will be plastered on every tabloid. Great job!" Jude didn't like how Spied was talking to Tommy, "It's not his fault Spied. Stop being such a jerk. He didn't know that there were cameras around."
Spied tried not to show it but it really hurt that Jude had taken up for Tommy. He knew that he was losing any chance that he had to be with her. Tommy was winning her heart and that is last thing that Spied would have ever wanted. He felt like Tommy did not deserve to be with Jude. His only hope was that Quincy would somehow screw things up on his own.
As much as he hated to admit it, Tommy knew that Spied was right. It was his fault. Darius had warned him about this just the day before and look what had happened because he didn't listen. So much for playing it cool for a while. Now everyone would think that something was going on between them. Tommy wasn't worried about himself, he just didn't want Jude to be put in a position to have defend herself or her decisions.
Tommy decided that he better tell Jude the news he came to share with her and then leave. The longer he was there the more there would be speculation into their relationship. Tommy began, "I do have some good news. I had hoped to give tell you under better circumstances though." Jude was now curious, "What is it?"
"Well, Darius told me that it was leaked to him that our duet is going to hit number one this week and he wants us to come to a party at his penthouse on Saturday night to celebrate. He wants everyone from G Major to be there," replied Tommy.
Jude was in shock, she couldn't believe it. She had finally hit number one. After her first album was such a flop, she never expected that this would happen. Jude didn't know whether to scream or to cry. Before she could do either, Spied had her in a huge bear hug, "Jude, that is so awesome. You are really moving up. I'm so proud of you." Jude put her arms around Spied in acceptance of his congratulations.
A surge of jealousy shot through Tommy, he wanted to be the one in that embrace with Jude. But after what had just happened outside, he knew that he was going to have to be more cautious about displaying his feelings for her. Tommy came to the conclusion that is was time for him to leave. He needed some time to think, "I guess I'll be going now. I'll see you guys later."
Before Jude could say anything, Tommy was out the door and she could feel that there was something different about him as he left. She couldn't quite figure it out, but she thought he might just be upset about the paparazzi. At least she hoped that was all that it was. Jude broke herself from Spied's embrace and walked toward the window just in time to see Tommy's car speeding away.
The next day pictures of Tommy and Jude were on the front of every tabloid from coast to coast. There were pictures of them sitting on the step with Tommy's arm around Jude. There were others that showed their faces closely together, and even some of Tommy grabbing Jude's arm and pulling her back into her house. The headlines said everything from "Tommy Quincy's Young New Love Interest" to "Is Jude Harrison Really Woman Enough to take on Lil' Tommy Q?"
Tommy came into G Major wearing his black shades and a baseball cap. He didn't want to get any more attention that he had already gotten in the last twenty-four hours. He hated days like these but what he hated even worse was the way he just walked out on Jude. At this point, Tommy didn't feel like he knew what he was doing. He was all mixed up inside.
While Tommy was standing in the lobby with a lost look on his face, Darius walked by and demanded that he come to his office immediately. This was not going to be good and Tommy was going to hate it when Darius said the dreaded words. "I told you so." Tommy walked into Darius's office and took a seat across from his desk. As Darius was closing the door, Tommy was preparing himself for what was about to come.
Darius walked behind his desk and picked up a box and set it down if front of him. The box was full of tabloid newspapers with Tommy and Jude's pictures on the front. Darius gave Tommy a questioning look, "Well, what do you have to say now Tommy?" Tommy let out a sigh, "I don't really know what to say."
"You can start with telling my why you were sitting outside Jude's house with your arm around her? I thought there was nothing to tell." urged Darius.
Tommy tried to explain, "We were just talking and she just got a little upset. I was trying to comfort her. I didn't think it would turn into such a big deal."
Darius nodded his head, "That's just it man, you never seem to think anything through. You don't think about how the consequences of your actions could affect someone else."
Trying to maintain his temper, Tommy said, "That is not true. That is not who I am anymore. I care about Jude and I would never do anything to hurt her. I just can't figure out how those photogs knew that I was there." Darius tried quickly to change the subject, "Let's just try to look at the bright side of this. Publicity is publicity, and you and Jude both have albums coming out soon. So this could actually work to your advantage."
Now it was becoming clear to Tommy, just exactly what had happened, "It was you wasn't it? You tipped off the tabloids, and all for publicity. How could you do that to me and Jude?"
Darius didn't even pretend to be innocent, "What if I did? You needed to be taught a lesson. I told you to keep things on a friendly basis with Jude but I can tell that you are already beyond that."
Tommy was furious, "What am I supposed to do now?" Being full of ideas, Darius suggested that Tommy and Jude lay low for a few days and not be seen together until the party on Saturday night. This would give the rumors some time to die down and hopefully Jude and Tommy would have some peace for the time being.
He wanted to argue with Darius but he knew that he couldn't. Tommy would have to wait until Saturday to see Jude again. He got up and walked out of Darius's office. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He was going to send Jude a text message, he couldn't bare to hear her voice right now. It would be just too hard.
Jude was sitting at her kitchen table staring at the magazines that Sadie had brought home on her lunch break. Jude had no idea how many tabloid would be interested in pictures of her and Tommy. As her eyes were focused on the images in front of her, Jude couldn't help but think what a great couple that she and Tommy would make. Even in the pictures, it was obvious that there was a connection between the two of them.
The vibration of Jude's phone interrupted her thoughts. She picked up the phone and flipped it open to read the message she had received. She was really excited to see that it was from Tommy, that was until she read what it said, "Jude, I have to go out of town for a few days. Darius thinks it will be a good idea for us not to be seen together until the party to let the talk about us die down a little. I'll see you Saturday."
When Jude finished reading the text, she automatically dialed Tommy's number. She wanted to talk to him and see where he was going. Why did he feel the need to leave? Jude had so many questions to ask him, but they would all have to wait because Tommy had turned off his phone and his voicemail.
A feeling of utter confusion overcame Jude. What had happened? She and Tommy went from almost kissing on her doorstep to not seeing each other till Saturday. How was she supposed to get through the next few days without seeing Tommy or talking to him? All of the sudden Jude felt very lonely and at this moment she knew that he had fallen for him. Jude was in love with Tommy Quincy and she didn't have any idea of where he could be.
It didn't take long before Jude was dressed and on her way to G Major. She pulled into the parking lot and practically ran through the doors. Sadie caught sight of her sister and stopped her, "Jude, what are you doing? Is everything okay?" Jude was hoping to talk to Darius and see if he knew where Tommy had went but as she tried to explain what happened to Sadie, she broke down in tears.
Sadie quickly pulled Jude into the ladies' bathroom and gave her a loving big sister hug. Jude tried to speak through her sobs, "I don't know where he is Sadie. I can't get up with him because he turned off his phone. I just don't understand."
Sadie looked at her sister with sympathetic eyes, "I guess you finally figured out how you feel about Tommy, huh?"
A tiny grin appeared across Jude's face, "I love him Sadie. I can't explain how or why it happened. It just did and I need to know if there is a chance that he feels the same way."
Sadie smiled, "From the way that he was holding you while you were sleeping, I would say that he does. He had this look of love all over his face. It was very romantic."
Jude wanted to believe that what Sadie was saying was true, "But what about the age difference, Sadie? What if he can't get past it? Do we really stand a chance?"
"I can't answer that Jude. You and Tommy will have to determine that for yourselves. I do know one thing though, you can't put an age limit on love," remarked Sadie.
It was amazing how much better Jude felt after talking to Sadie. Who knew that she could give such good advice?
She was glad that Jude was calming down, but Sadie knew that Jude was still worried. She decided that she would take the rest of the day off and go do something with her, "Come on, let's get out of here. I'm in the mood for some shopping therapy."
Usually this suggestion would not appeal to Jude but she did need something fabulous to wear to the party on Saturday night, "Oh, I am so there. Let's go."
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(Note: I know this chapter wasn't quite that exciting but things definitely start heating up in the next few chapters. I think you guys will really like what I have in store for Jude.)
