Chapter eight: Withdrawal

Oh my first update in so many months. Feels so good! I am in such a good mood today.

The next three updates or so should be pretty close together, because i feel I owe it to you lovely readers.

Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star.

After about twenty minutes, SME left, done for the day. I sat back in my chair, closing my eyes.

"Hey!" she screamed cheerfully. I jumped, startled by the sudden noise.

"Hi Jude," I said and she laughed, sitting down in the swivel beside mine. She spun slowly in circles. "What did they want."

"Celebrity thing..." she trailed off.

"Very descriptive, Harrison," I said sarcastically. She rolled her eyes.

"I don't know. There's some club opening and most of G Major's artists will be performing on the first two nights. Promotional thing," she explained and I nodded.

"Cool, what are you going to perform?"

"I don't know. My latest songs aren't exactly club material, you know."

I nodded. And then I realized something. Shay will be performing. And then I laughed. "What is Mason going to perform."

She laughed, "I don't know."

"No, I'm sure the clubbers will be able to dance to 'I'm Gone,'" I said and Jude laughed again. Did I mention that today has been a great day, because if I haven't, I'll just tell you - today has been great for Jude and I. "So, want to, uh, work on a song for this rockin' party?"

"Uh, sure," she said and grabbed her guitar and journal. I looked at the clock. 8:40.

And it was a very long night. Very long. And by midnight, we had nothing done. We sat in silence, ate, and watched TV. She didn't know what she wanted to write about. We fought about it a lot, also. But still, the day was great. I got a lot of Jude time.

She fell asleep on the couch and I fell asleep on the arm chair.

I sighed. Kwest was sick today, meaning I was in charge of his artists. I got out my cell phone and pressed one and then send.

"Yeah?" she answered.

"Jude, hey," I said.

"Hey, Tom. What's up? I don't have to be in for another hour."

"Yeah, you don't have to come in today," I said. I know, shocking, but it was true.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."

I nodded. Tomorrow, of course. "Alright. And try to work on a song today," I said.

"Okay, bye Tom," she said and hung up. I smiled and shoved the phone in my pocket.

Great. Time to go work with Shay. I walked into Studio B and saw Shay and T Bone, ready to work. I smiled at them in the nicest way I could. I opened my mouth to speak but my phone went off. I looked at the caller ID. It was Kwest. "What's up?" I answered.

He coughed, "Promise you won't be stupid with Shay. Just do your..." he stopped and sneezed. "Job. Your job."

I laughed at his voice, "Got it."

"Bye," he said and hung up. I put it in my pocket.

"Kwest set up last night, so everything is ready," Shay said. I nodded and he went into the recording booth. This was going to be a long day, and Jude wasn't even here to brighten things up a bit.

After we recorded and I mixed, I nodded for Shay to follow me into D's office. We both took a seat and D listened to the song. He smiled. "Great work. Is this the song you'll be singing at the club?"

Shay shrugged. "I don't know. I kind of have a different song in mind, but it's not done."

"Okay, well, when you decide, let me know. Tom, do you know what Jude will be singing at the club?"

I noticed Shay tense up at the mention of her name. I tried not to smile, but I was unsuccessful. When Shay noticed my grin he glared at me, but that caused my smile to go wider. "Uh, she's working on it. She says none of her songs are right for the occasion. But, since she has today off, she told me she'd be working on it."

"Okay, well. Karma will be doing No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service. So what, only one of my four major artists know what they will be singing?" he asked. I nodded. "Okay, off you two go," he said.

We both walked out and I walked away from Shay. He made a face at me and I rolled my eyes. "Were done here," I said. "Go home."

He walked away and I laughed, off to find Karma. I sat down and Karma was ready to get started. "You shaking yet, Tom?"

"What?" I asked.

"You know, symptoms of withdrawal. Jude gone for a whole day?"

"Get in the booth," I said and she laughed as I rolled my eyes. She began to sing when I gave her the thumbs up. I shook my head. Withdrawal symptoms. I can make it through one day. People have so little faith in me at this place. This place that I call my home...that was a bit over dramatic, I know.

- -

"Alright, Mason. One more take and were done for the night!" I said with excitement.

"Good to know that you love your job so much," he said into the mic. I rolled my eyes. I see why Jude and Mason are such good friends.

Mason actually does have a personality. I didn't see it before because I thought he and Jude had something going on. He is gay, though. He was about to tell me about what happened when he came out of the closet to his parents, but I stopped him. Just because I was happy about his gayness, didn't mean I needed to know his life story. I don't really care that much.

When I finished mixing, I left the CD on D's desk and left for the day. I ran into Karma on the way out and she gave me a look. I held my hand up in front of her. "Not shaking, see?" She just laughed and nodded, walking away.

--

Jude skipped into work today. Yes, she skipped. "What's with the skipping?" I asked as she entered the kitchenette.

"I have an idea for my song," she said.

"All you have is an idea? You are performing tomorrow, girl."

"Whatever, Tommy," she said. Today, Shay and Karma were performing. Tomorrow, Jude and Mason would perform. Thankfully, Kwest is back and I don't have to deal with Shay.

"Okay, fill me in on this idea."

"Okay, it's going to be in a clubbing style, but, I think it's going to be about moving on to better things."

I smiled at that. "Really, good idea. Want to get working?" I asked. She nodded and we both walked into Studio A.

-- -- --

We were at the club. Shay and Karma were backstage with EJ. She is probably trying to calm their nerves, but failing miserably.

Jude was in the front with Mason. She was wearing dark jeans and a tight red tank top with a jean jacket over it. Her hair was straight for the first time in awhile. She looked amazing. And I was back with Kwest, preparing things needed to be prepared for these performances.

"Alright, alright, alright! First, Shay!" Kwest announced and Shay walked out, all smiles.

"Hey guys, I wrote this song a day ago. I'd like to dedicate it to the one and only, Jude Harrison," he said and the spotlight found her. I froze. Oh no. Jude, don't give in. Don't go back to him. We are so close. So close. Well, not really, but the longer she's broken up with Shay, the closer we are to getting together. That's how I see it at least.

He began to rap, and I couldn't see Jude's reaction.

"Got me flashing key and I don't even own a car.

Like you ain't feelin' my charm, 'cause I know you are.

I'm trying to see how your lips feel

Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Shay, and I'm pretty much a big deal."

When he was done, everyone, including Jude and Mason, were clapping. Then Karma came on. The night came to an end and Jude came back to where I was as soon as we could leave.

"Hey, Quincy. Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked. I nodded and she grabbed my arm, leading me out of the club. We got outside and I gave her a look. What does she want. Oh, god. Please don't tell me she is going to ask for advice about Shay. Please, God, Please.

"What's up, girl?" I asked.

"Can you head back to the studio with me?"

I laughed, "Uh, sure. Why?"

"I have a new idea for a song," she said. I sighed. She's going to write a song just for him. "It's not what your thinking," she said in a sing song voice. I gave her a look and she smiled. "I rode with Mason. Can we take your car?"

We pulled in and she ran in, but stopped at the door. She waited for me to use the keycard and then continued to run. "Geez, girl, what has gotten into you?" I asked on a laugh.

"I'm on a... inspiration high."

I groaned, "If were writing some love song for Shay Shay, I am out of here."

"More like the opposite."

"Alright!" I said with enthusiasm. She laughed and sat down on the couch. I smiled and went into Studio A, coming back out with paper and my guitar. She grabbed the pen from my hand and wrote something across the top.

"Play With Fire"

"That's the title?" I asked. She nodded and I smiled. "Alright, explain."

"Okay, the story, or whatever," she said and I laughed. "Okay, so Shay is trying to get me back, but I'm sick of his annoying ways and want to tell him that I'm done with him."

I smiled. Remember that day I was in love with… two days ago? Well, this day totally tops that day.