What was that sound? Jude heard a faint ringing. Where am I, Jude wondered while trying to open her eyes. Why cannot I open my eyes? The ringing stopped for a few seconds and started again. That's her phone, Jude thought. Now opened eyes, she commanded.
Spread out fully clothed in her old bedroom, Jude could not remember what happened beyond the fourth round of car bombs. Phone, Jude realized. The phone continued to ring. Jude felt a vibrating under her stomach. Forcing her eyes open, Jude moved her body to locate her connection to the outside world. Pressing the answer button, Jude placed the phone to her ear.
"Jude," Jamie screamed over the headset. "Jude, are you there?"
The phone slide off her head and landed on the floor. Now Jude remembered why she was here. The bid, Instant Star, the bar, the trial, her move to New York, Tommy, Tommy kissing Portia… Oh god, Jude thought as a wave of nausea came upon her. Hearing Jamie yelling from the device on the floor, Jude reached down to grasp it.
"Jamie," Jude's harsh voice came out. "Jamie…Jamie…please…at this moment, I ask of you to not speak above a whisper."
"Why do you do this Jude?" Jamie asked slightly softer.
Grasping her head, Jude was confused on his line of questioning. Water, she thought. Jude needed water, aspirin, and maybe a Bloody Mary.
"Jude," Jamie shouted again. "Are you still there? I think I lost her."
"Jamie, could you speak even below a whisper?" Jude pleaded. "Or even be silent."
"There isn't time to be silent Jude," a more patient Jamie responded. "Turn on your television and get back to me."
The phone went dead. What happened Jude wondered? Was there a verdict overnight? Do courts even met overnight? Looking over to her bed stand, Jude sees a bottle of water Dave must have placed last night. Oh poor Dave, what did she put him thought Jude wondered. Seeing the remote on the floor, Jude pushed the "on" button.
"For the latest entertainment development, here is Jess Brown in downtown Toronto," a perky blond on the screen said.
"Thanks Amber. It was here last night, Season One Instant Star winner Jude Harrison was seen with Troy Chambers, lead chorographer for Karma, Season Three Instant Star winner. The same day Harrison testified in the Quincy murder trial, Harrison was carried out of this establishment with an undisclosed medical condition. According to her American label, Harrison was taken to her family home here in Toronto to be cared for by family and friends.
"Jess, is there any word if drugs and alcohol were involved with the situation last night?" the blond in the studio asked.
"The official words is no, but sources inside the bar said Harrison proceeded drinking shots immediately after entering the bar. Patrons of the bar said Harrison and Chambers seem to have a prior relationship and got quite intimate as the evening went on."
"With the Instant Star finale tonight, Harrison is the only former winner who has not committed to performing tonight. Is there any change concerning Harrison and tonight's finale?" Amber asked.
"Early this morning, Harrison's American label confirmed her attendance at this evening's Instant Star finale. The label confirmed Harrison would be performing new material yet to be heard here or in the states. This is Jess Brown reporting with your entertainment minute."
Grabbing her phone, Jude pressed speed dial. The second she heard his voice, Jude screamed "Jamie!"