This is gonna be a long A/N cause I have a lot to say...just a heads up.
A/N: Guess what? I finally stopped obsessing over this chapter and decided to post it! I have been going crazy trying to write it for the past few weeks. But I've decided to stop freaking out and just post it. :) Oh, and 'guess what?' #2, I now present to you my first ever betad-chapter! exciting right. maybe more for me than you, but still. Huge thanks and virtual goodness to my amazing beta-modernxxmyth!!
Also big, thankful, amazing goodness shotout to Girl Underground, whose Instant Star story i have become obsessed with (you should all read it) and has now started reading mine. :) It's so much fun bouncing ideas off eachother! :)
Oh and if anyone has any ideas or requests or whatever, totally just let me know. I love getting new ideas, it totally breaks down my writers block!
BTW, chapter title is from 'Just The Girl' by The Click Five. Great Song!!
I realized I never put a disclaimer on this story. So here it is. I do not now (but maybe one day-if i close my eyes and wish real hard) own Instant Star. But I do own the few episodes on my itunes which i watch repeatedly and cherish dearly! It kind of makes me sad that I dont own it, but then I just watch a Jommy moment and I'm good again. :) lol.
So here it is. I now present chapter 11. Happy Reading!
Chapter Eleven: I Keep Coming Back For More
Sadie was pulled out of the shallow world she had found in her magazine when the front door barreled open, and Jude came tumbling through, with a large rolled rug falling on her, Taylor's scream quickly following. She shot up from the couch to find Jude laying on the floor, under the now unrolled pink rug, with Taylor standing next to her, doubled over in laughter. Sadie moved closer to examine the situation.
"You guys scared the crap out of me! What on earth-" she had started to reprimand them but was currently consumed with laughter at the sight in front of her. "Honestly!" she said, between amused gasps.
All three girls lied on the floor, their bodies shaking with laughter, until they finally regained composure. Sadie sat up first, her voice still shaky with giggles. "What were you doing?"
Jude took a deep breath, trying desperately to stop laughing, before saying, "Well, we got Big Lou to help us move her stuff, and then we stopped at a few stores on the way home to get some new stuff and dropped Big Lou off, before coming home. But we thought we could carry it all in on one trip, and we were doing great until I tripped on the door frame and, well, you saw the rest."
Sadie burst into laughter again, both at her sisters clumsiness and the big pile of things Taylor and Jude had dropped in the door way. A few moments later, all three girls regained their composure and started gathering the things. After a few trips up the stairs and two hours later, Taylor was totally unpacked and felt completely at home. They had decorated her room, both with her old stuff and the new things they had purchased, and then they filled the closet and dresser drawers with both old and new clothes.
Now, Jude and Taylor laid on the new queen sized bedding, looking up at the ceiling. They were laughing about the Boyz Attack poster that they had bought, just to embarrass Tommy, that was now pinned on her wall. Jude couldn't wait for him to see it. She could just picture his face turning red with embarrassment and the expression on his face while he tried to act cool. The picture of this only made Jude laugh harder.
The bed shook with laughter as Taylor and Jude scrambled to catch their breath. After a few moments, they were both able to contain their giggles, but neither moved until Sadie yelled "Pizza!" at the top of her lungs, signifying dinner was here.
--
Taylor and Jude were sitting on the couch, eating their pizza, when suddenly the entire house was filled with music. Taylor and Jude shared a look when they realized that the song was none other than Pick Up the Pieces. Any chance they had of holding back laughter was lost as soon as Sadie came around the corner wearing a white jacket with the collar popped up and holding a round hairbrush. Giggles escaped their lips and the laughter only escalated as Sadie began to sing, very badly. "I was adrift on the ocean, all alone."
She ran up to Jude, shoving the 'microphone' in her face, with a look that was both full of excitement and threat. Jude knew she couldn't get out of it, so she quickly grabbed the hairbrush and jumped to say the next line. "But you came, and rescued me, when I was far from home." Jude reached out and handed the brush back to Sadie, but Sadie just grabbed her arm instead, and pulled her up. Jude gave her a look of anguish, but didn't hesitate in joining in on the dance moves.
Taylor stayed in her spot on the couch, shaking with laughter, while the two sisters danced through the first verse and chorus. Just as she began to catch her breath, she was pulled up and into the middle of the room, a hairbrush placed in her hand. The sisters reminded her of the moves and soon they were all dancing the trademark dance.
The chorus started for a second time, and the girls were having more fun and were more into it than ever. They were so enthralled with the music that they didn't even hear a knock at the door, much less it opening. It wasn't until they heard the voice that they returned to the normal world.
"What on earth?" A voice said, with a chuckle.
All three girls instantly spun around to see Kwest and Tommy standing in the doorway, in front of the open front door. Kwest was doubled over in laughter, while Tommy just sat there, shock, embarrassment and amusement all evident on his face. Sadie picked up the remote and paused the music, before looking back to Kwest. He looked at her, a comical question on his face, and she just shrugged. "Like you've never done this."
"I haven't." Kwest said with pride.
Sadie's smile turned into a smirk as she looked to Kwest's left. "No. But Tommy has."
Jude and Taylor lost it all over again, practically falling to the ground from laughter. Tommy looked down for a moment, before meeting Jude's highly amused gaze and returning it. "Yeah. But I did it right, and much better." He said, raising his eye brows, challenging her.
"All right, Quincy. Let's see it." She said, motioning to the floor behind her. "Go on. Let's see this 'much better'."
Tommy started to protest but Sadie stepped in, backing Jude up, and by that point Tommy knew arguing was pointless.
He reluctantly stepped forward and Sadie handed him the hair brush microphone. She was about to push play when Jude stopped her.
"Wait!"
Sadie instantly lifted her finger from the remote and turned to her sister. "What?"
A smirk pulled up on Jude's face as she stepped forward, mischief evident in her eyes. Tommy's eyes widened, he knew that look and it only meant one thing, trouble.
"Something's missing." She placed a finger on her lips, acting as though she was thinking about it, before nodding, dropping her hand and stepping forward. She walked up to Tommy, raising her arms around his neck. He stiffened at the warmth of her touch and fought every urge to lean down and kiss her and she worked her way behind his neck and grabbed onto the collar of his leather jacket, and popped it up.
She stepped back to examine her work, then nodded to Sadie and shrugged. "Okay. We're good." Tommy just rolled his eyes, while Sadie fought back laughter.
Sadie finally pushed play and the song started over. It started out as just Tommy singing and dancing, very timidly, before Taylor and Jude started cheering like 13 year old girls at a concert. Unable to fight the encouragement, Tommy started to sing and dance with more and more passion. Soon it was like he was back on stage at one of his concerts. The moves came easily, almost like second nature.
Jude couldn't take it anymore. It looked like too much fun, so she shot up off the couch, landing next to Tommy. Finding the beat quickly, she jumped in mid-dance move and together, Tommy and she dominated the floor. By the next verse, they were joined by all but Kwest, who claimed "someone needs to video tape it."
The four friends forgot their worries, and left self-consciousness to the wind, as they danced through the theme song to the 90s, all on video tape. When the song finally ended, Jude collapsed to the floor, sprawling out as she panted and tried desperately to catch her breath. It wasn't long before all five of them were on the floor. The four performers tried to regain normal breathing while Kwest fought desperately to hold back a fit of laughter, which wasn't very successful.
--
As soon as they were able to breath again, the boys complained that they were hungry, followed by a quick, "Do I smell pizza?" After that there was no hope, their pizza had been revealed and was soon consumed by the hunger of two grown men, who in the moment couldn't have looked more childish. The three girls watched in amazement, and slight disgust, as the two boys each put down four slices of pizza in under ten minutes. Tommy pushed his plate away, leaned back in his chair and wiped his face with a napkin, looking completely content. Jude couldn't take it anymore.
"Did you need something? Or did you just come here to eat our food?"
Tommy raised his eye brows in skepticism at her tone. Disbelief mixed with shock filled his face, as he looked to Sadie for an explanation.
"Don't look at me. You guys are the ones who each ate four slices of her favorite pizza, when she only had two. That was her reward for fixing up Taylor's room, and you ate it. So don't look to me to save you. You totally deserve what's coming."
Tommy and Kwest exchanged a scared look. Jude's wrath was not something you wanted to be caught in. It always ended in either being yelled at on MTV or having your hair gel tendencies posted online or switching producers. Or worse, producing a crappy album with your name on it. Okay so maybe the last one wasn't intentional, but subconsciously, she totally meant it. Tommy grimaced at the memory before looking back to Jude, who looked angry, annoyed and like she was plotting something sinister. Tommy knew he had to distract her and fast, before she formed a plan.
"So...you fixed up Taylor's room?" He studied her face, looking for anything that might signify success. But no change came. "I...I'd love to see it. Wouldn't you Kwest? Come on, let's go right now. Upstairs, right? The old guest room?" Nothing came from Jude. "Yeah, right. Okay. Let's go." Tommy and Kwest both stood from the table and started to slowly walk away. Tommy looked back, "Ya coming, Jude?" He wished so desperately that her face would change expressions, but wanted desperately to take it back when a small evil smirk spread across her lips, followed by a fake and over-done smile.
"Sure! Let's go!" She shot up. Taylor and Sadie gave her puzzled looks. "You'll love the 'art' we put up on her wall." She turned back and winked at the two girls. Suddenly it all made sense. They stood up and hurried to catch up to Jude. All five of them made their way up the stairs, Jude and Taylor insisting on leading the way, while Sadie stayed in the back to prevent any escape.
"All right, close your eyes." Kwest immediately listened; he always did like surprises, but Tommy wasn't so easy to persuade. He studied the girls in front of him, looking around closely for anything that might be used as a weapon or to shank him. Because when it came to Jude's pizza, things could get ugly. Deciding there was no harm, he finally closed his eyes, much to Jude's approval.
She led them inside the room, and turned them to face away from the poster. Instructing them to open, they took it all in, slowly turning to see every detail. The girls all exchanged an amused look, and Tommy couldn't for the life of him, figure out why. Then he saw it. Kwest began laughing so hard he had to sit down on the edge of the bed. Tommy, on the other hand, was a completely different story. Upon seeing the poster of his so-called 'glory days' his jaw dropped, and his eyes practically bugged out. Shock overcame every emotion as he stared up at it. He stayed still for a moment, before turning to Jude, playful anger in his eyes. "You."
Jude smiled proudly and nodded, pointing to her self. "Me."
Tommy just shook his head, stepping closer and closer to her. Jude's retreating steps matched his and soon she was out the door and into the hallway. Her smile still in place, but slight fear of what he'd do filled her eyes. She took one more step into the hallway before opening her eyes wide and pointing at the wall in front of her, and behind Tommy. "What is that?" she screamed. Tommy instinctively turned to look, while Jude made her way down the stairs. When Tommy turned back around, Jude was half way down the stairs. He chuckled quietly before chasing after her. She ran quicker and reached for the front door, yelling back things like, "Don't touch me, Tommy" and "It was only fair, Tommy" as well as, "You have to admit, it was pretty funny". As he got closer, she turned to face him, walking backwards. She smiled innocently. "Oh, come on Tommy. You know it was funny. And you did eat my pizza, so I say it was completely justified."
Tommy just shook his head. "No. No, I don't think so. 'Cause that poster was up way before I ate your pizza. So, really, me eating your pizza was just payback."
"Payback?" Jude howled. "Yeah right. It doesn't count if you didn't have anything to payback at the time." She laughed. "So, sorry. But it looks like I win again."
Tommy smiled, "You do, do you?"
Jude nodded proudly, still backing up. Finally, her back hit the front door. She twisted the knob, opened the door quickly and stepped backwards, only to hit hard on something. She stepped forward, taking a moment to regroup, before turning around to see what she had hit.
Her eyes grew in shock at the sight in front of her: three goofy guys with duffel bags and guitars in hand, each wearing that all-knowing smirk she had grown to love over the years.
Speiderman took in the shock on her face and laughed. "What? Surprised to see us? We just thought you could use some good old 'boy time'. Sound good, dude?" Jude laughed slightly.
"Yeah. It sounds good." She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Speid's neck. "It sounds really good. Man, I've missed you guys!" She released him from the hug and stepped out of their way, allowing them to step inside. As each boy passed through the door frame they all nodded to Tommy, first Speid then Kyle and finally Wally. "Lord Squinty Frown."
"Q."
"Tommy."
Tommy rolled his eyes and Jude just laughed, Wally always was the polite one.
The guys all set their stuff in the living room, before coming back to the entry way where Jude and Tommy stood. Jude's face was pure joy as she took in the boys in front of her. She had never felt more at home, and life had never seemed more normal. Something was missing though, and she just couldn't quite put her finger on what.
Sadie was making her way down the stairs with Taylor and Kwest behind her, when she stopped abruptly upon seeing the newly arrived guests. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite boys. Couldn't stay away I see."
"Hey!" Kwest shot out, looking hurt. "What are we," he said, pointing to Tommy and himself, "chopped liver?"
Sadie turned to him, quietly laughing. "No, hun. Just Tommy is. Don't worry."
Kwest just laughed, and now it was Tommy's turn to feign feeling hurt. But Jude elbowed him in the chest before he could take it too far. Everyone just laughed it off.
Sadie made the last few steps and wrapped the SME boys all in a group hug. "Too bad it takes Jude to get you guys to come around."
Speid tried to think of a good excuse but came up short, so he just said the first thing that came to mind. "Well...we brought meat." He held up the bag and gave Sadie a hopeful look. She smiled and nodded.
"Well then, get in here."
They all moved into the kitchen and started unloading the snacks. Jokes were passed around, old stories reminisced, and soon it almost felt like old times, but Jude still couldn't figure out what was different. But luckily, Sadie did.
"Dang, all we need is Andrews and its high school all over again."
"That's it!" Jude looked up to see every person staring at her with concern, amusement and confusion. "And I totally just said that out loud, didn't I?"
"More like yelled it," Speid corrected. "And yes. Oh, and for those of us who aren't in your head, what is it?"
"The thing that's missing. Ever since you got here something's been off, and I couldn't figure it out, but it's Jamie!"
The guys all nodded in understanding. Speid looked at Jude with fake seriousness, using a tone that should signify the world ending. "Then what are you still doing here?"
He pointed to the exit, and Jude took off running through it, heading straight for the familiar door twenty feet away.
--
"So this is the infamous NB Records?" Jude asked nonchalantly, as she walked down the last few steps that led to the basement.
Jamie spun around in his chair, surprise soon transformed into happiness as he lept up and wrapped Jude in a hug. "Yup. And this must be the famous Jude Harrison, international music success," he said as he pulled out of the hug.
"The one and only," she smirked.
Jamie just laughed and offered her a seat and one of Nana's chocolate chip cookies, which she happily accepted before stuffing her face with it and grabbing two more. Jamie arched an eyebrow and looked at her with a look that was half concern and half amusement.
Jude chuckled nervously, which wasn't easy with a mouthful of cookie, and shrugged. "What? I've missed these."
Jamie just laughed before offering her more, which she was more than happy to accept.
Just as Jude was stuffing her fifth cookie into her mouth, and Jamie was doing the final adjustments for Speid's new song, an upstairs door slammed. This caused both friends to jump a mile high, before sharing a worried glance. Just as Jamie was about to stand up and go investigate, Zeppelin emerged from around the corner, practically skipping down the stairs.
Clearly on cloud nine, she started yelling as she made her way down, "Guess what? Guess what? I just got Spied that gig on-" She paused, noticing, for the first time, the blond in the room. "-And Jude Harrison is here...You win!" she said, looking at Jamie, before running up and wrapping Jude in a hug.
"Hey, Zepp."
"Hey, Zepp? That's it? You go to Europe, live a crazy exciting life then pay a surprise visit and all you have to say is 'Hey, Zepp'?"
Jude was a little flustered. "Um...I like...your hair?" She had meant it as a statement and compliment, but her uncertainty caused it to come out as more of a question. When Zeppelin didn't look satisfied, she asked, "What do you want me to say?"
"Anything. Everything. I mean come on! You move to Europe, and you've been gone for months and I need stories! How am I supposed to live vicariously through you if you don't tell me anything?"
"Hey!" Jamie looked slightly hurt and offended. "Why do you need to live vicariously? Am I not enough?"
Zeppelin looked over at him sweetly, "Of course you are, and I love you, but this basement and town have nothing on Europe. So…" she said, turning back to Jude, "let's hear it."
Jude spent the next half hour telling stories of her life in Europe. Zeppelin would occasionally sigh and say things like 'amazing' and 'no way!' When Jude finished her final story, Zeppelin let out a deep breath before dreamily adding, "It all sounds so amazing. I wish I could see it."
She stared off into space, sinking into dreams of Europe, but was snapped out of it by Jamie's sudden outburst, which involved raising his voice and placing a hand on her rolling chair, which caused it to turn. "You wanna go to Europe? Then let's go!"
Zeppelin chuckled, "No, its okay. Really, we've got excitement enough. I mean we have a label and a kickin' artist and-OH! That reminds me! I got Speid that gig in New York!" Jamie shot up immediately.
"Really?!" Zeppelin just nodded, too excited for words, and soon the two of them were jumping and dancing and making up really weird victory songs. Jude just chuckled at their weirdness, before grabbing yet another cookie.
After the screaming and excitement had subsided, Jude finally remembered her reasons for coming over. "I almost forgot. The boys are all over for a massive hang out. Kyle brought movies, Wally brought popcorn, and Speid brought meat, 'cause apparently its meat night." All three of them rolled their eyes at the ridiculous tradition. "So, you wanna come? Zepp too?"
Jamie and Zeppelin shared a look of understanding. "Yeah! Sure! But we can't stay too late. We're meeting with sponsors for Speid's tour in the morning." Jamie smiled proudly, while Zeppelin squealed in excitement.
"Wow, tour. Very impressive." Jude smiled warmly, "But, yeah. Come, stay as late as you can! It'll be a blast."
They all shared an excited smile, before Jamie reached over and turned off the sound board. "Alright then, let's get this party started."
Jude swung the door open. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce, the one…the only - Jamie Andrews!! And the much more lovely Zeppelin Dyer!!"
Cheers erupted in the living room and soon laughter followed as Jamie covered his heart in mock pain.
Jude just raised an eye brow at him. "What? She is." After a moment, he nodded his agreement before stepping forward to sit with the group.
Smacking hands and hitting knuckles, Jamie soon made himself at home. "So, guys. What's new?"
"New? Dude, you saw us this morning. What could possible be new?"
Jamie looked half seriously at Speid. "A lot can happen in a few hours. I mean-" he said, pointing to Jude, "just think a few hours ago, we didn't know Jude was back. But now-BAM! Here she is."
The guys all laughed at his logic, before Speid turned to Jude. "Speaking of, how long have you been back."
Jude looked timidly at the floor. "Um...a week."
"A week!" Kyle yelled. "And you didn't think to call and say, 'Hey, I'm jumping the big pond, see you soon'?" Kyle said, throwing in a British accent for effect.
"Okay, so A - I don't have a British accent. And B - Get over it!" Jude said, throwing a piece of licorice at him, adding to her point.
The guys all just laughed it off, and soon they were all invested in various conversations, completely ignoring the movie they had put on.
While the guys caught up, Jude moved to the kitchen, where Sadie, Kwest, Tommy, and Taylor were all involved in some conversation about something or another.
"So, you guys gonna watch the movie with us?"
All eyes turned to her at the sound of her voice.
"No. Sorry, Jude, but we gotta go. Actually we originally just came here to grab Sadie to go to the grocery store with us, because apparently I'm not capable of doing it on my own," Tommy said, shooting Kwest a pointed look.
"Oh, get over it. You know it's more fun with her around," Kwest responded.
Tommy rolled his eyes. "Fun for you. But whatever."
Sadie laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation as she turned to Jude. "See why I have to go with? These guys are like five year olds when it comes to food shopping. Constant bickering. And they don't even live together."
Jude nodded in understanding. "That's cool. You go. Taylor and I will stay here with the guys. Just get us some good food."
Sadie smiled her approval, and all three of them walked out.
A/N: Well? What did ya think? Do you know what I think? I think, you should push that cute little blue button and leave me a review telling me what you think.. wow, thats a lot of thinking. hmm...lol. but regardless, seriously, review!