A/N: Wow, between AP tests, graduation, work, being sick and getting writer's block-it has taken me FOREVER to get this chapter out! And I'm so so so sorry! Good news-once writer's block finally broke down, it brought with it the outline for the next few chapters! So, with practically everything out of the way, regular uploads can resume, hopefully quicker than regular! So here's chapter twenty! The title is from the song "Spin" by Alexz Johnson. It's an awesome song! Don't forget to review. Happy Reading!

Chapter Twenty: Placing My Hands Over My Eyes, Won't See Through This Disguise

Jude plopped down on the couch, leaned into the crook of Mason's arm and pressed play on the remote. They stared at the screen watching the opening sequence of Sleepless in Seattle, which, according to Mason, was just what the doctor ordered. Jude squirmed for the popcorn and clutched the bowl as she inhaled its contents.

Mason laughed. "Whoa, slow down."

Jude shook her head. "Nope. Not after you ate the entire last bag during Eagle Eye."

Mason rolled his eyes and the kept on watching the movie.

An hour passed. Jude's eyes were glued to the screen, unexpectedly relating to Meg Ryan's character not being able to have the guy she dreams of. Her eyes began to water as Meg Ryan stood watching across the street as Tom Hanks hugged a beautiful woman only twenty feet away. Mason noticed Jude's breathing become staggered and choppy. He squeezed his hand around her shoulder and pulled her close as she succumbed to her emotions. She sat sobbing into his chest for the next half hour until she was able to regain some semblance of composure.

When Mason could sense her breathing slowly returning to normal, he pulled her a little closer and spoke softly. "So, I guess that answers my 'how are you holding up?' question that I've been meaning to ask."

Jude shrugged.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Jude shrugged again.

Mason nodded. "Let's talk about it."

Jude sighed. "I-I just-I know I made a mistake in leaving, but now he's moving on, and I'm afraid I've made another mistake by coming back, because I'm ruining the progress he's made, so I should just go back home, right?"

"Wel-" Mason started to respond, but was quickly cut off by Jude's rambles.

"But, what if leaving is an even bigger mistake? I mean is repeating the same mistake on top of another mistake the biggest mistake ever?" Jude stopped and stared at Mason, waiting for an answer. "Well?"

Mason cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Jude. Only you can know what is right for you."

"And Tommy, and Sasha, and the rest of the world involved." Jude mumbled as she leaned back, slouching into the couch. She stared at the wall aimlessly, lost in thought. "I have to let him go, don't I?"

Mason put his arm back around her shoulder and she leaned into his chest. They sat in silence as they watched the movie.

"I'm going back to Europe."

Mason leaned forward to look in her eyes. "You're going where?" He said in shock.

"I have to. We both know Sasha and Tommy can't get past this with me here. Plus I should really get back to finishing my album."

They settled back in to the couch.

"You're not leaving for your music, are you?"

"It's what's best."

"For you or for him?" Mason questioned.

"It's what's best." She repeated.

Mason pulled her closer and they sat together in silence, only the noises of the movie filling the room.

----

The next morning Jude stood with Mason at the entrance of the airport. She pulled out of their hug and stared up at him.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye."

Mason looked back down at her. "Just for a few months; I'll see you at the World finals for Instant Star. You know Darius isn't going to let you slip out of that one."

Jude wrapped her arms around him. "If me being there means I get to see you again, then they'll have to fight to keep me away."

Mason laughed and rubbed her back.

They stayed silent for a moment, basking in their last few moments together.

"So, are you going to say goodbye to him?"

Jude pulled out of his arms and stared at the floor. "I don't know if I can. Besides, he hasn't been seen since that swarm of paparazzi chased us into the music space three days back. I don't even think Kwest knows where he is, all Sadie could get him to say was that Tommy had to go figure some "stuff" out. So, I was just-"

"Just hoping you wouldn't have to say goodbye?"

Jude nodded with tears in her eyes. "I'm no good at goodbyes." A single tear slipped down her cheek and Mason wrapped his arms around her once again. He kissed her head.

"Deep breath, Jude. You're going to be just fine."

He pulled away. Jude's hand slipped down his arm and into his hand. She extended her arm, clinging onto his hand as long as she could as he backed away. As her fingers tips touched his, she looked into his eyes. He smiled. "You've got strength Harrison, don't ever think different! I'll see you in two months. Just remember, deep breaths."

Jude gulped and nodded, pleading with her emotions to keep composure as her best friend walked through security. He picked up his bag and turned to wave one final time before jogging to his departure gate.

Jude stayed standing there for a moment, wishing he would come back; but the cold chill of reality told her he wasn't so she gathered up her nerves, turned around and, with one final look over her shoulder, walked back out into world, knowing what she had to do, but wishing with everything in her that she didn't.

----
A few hours later, Jude went out into the garage to retrieve her luggage before reason could persuade her otherwise. She had already packed the things she had brought with her but now needed another bag to pack her new clothes and the things from home she couldn't separate from. Jude dug through box after box and eventually just started tossing them aside in frustration. An empty box went flying into the wall across the garage and then crashed into a large pile which resulted in a domino effect of a once neatly piled stack of stored memories and forgotten mementoes.

Jude groaned and dropped the box of half used paint cans and shuffled over to the mess. She slowly began sorting through the disaster, resorting and restacking. As she got the top level back in place, the past smacked her in the face. She stared at the handle bars of her old motorcycle which poked above the scattered boxes. She moved the remaining boxes out of the way and stared at her beautiful bike. Instantly, memories of her and Tommy rescuing the discarded bikes from the garbage yard and restoring them to pristine condition flooded over her. She pulled it out and looked it over. It was a bit dusty and could probably use a little tune up, but still beautiful.

She had never had a chance to ride it; she had left so quickly that she never finished fixing the transmission. When she had left it, it had had gears that needed replacing and wires sticking out, but now it was perfect. Everything had been fixed and it had been finished.

She didn't have to think about who had finished it for her. She knew. "Boy, I sure know how to dump 'em." She muttered to herself. Tommy had never mentioned it, Sadie probably didn't even know. He had done it for her when he knew she would probably never find out.

Jude let out a deep, remorseful sigh. She stared at the bike a moment more before an idea sparked in her eyes. She began looking around frantically, digging under more boxes and making the unorganized mess even worse until she found it. With a triumphant smile she pulled her black helmet out of a box in the corner and dusted it off, running her fingers over where she had signed her name on the back in silver sharpie. She pulled the hair out of her face and slid the helmet on, pulling the glass visor down so that it securely covered her eyes, then she mounted the bike. It took a few tries but it eventually roared to life. She revved it a few times, reveling in the rush the sound gave her and finally she released the brake, catapulting out of the garage and down the street.

She drove aimlessly, no destination in mind, trying harder to find the end in her mind rather than on the road. As she defied the wind and pushed through it, memories of the past years since she had won Instant Star flashed through her mind. Entering the contest, the moment she won, meeting Tommy for the first time, falling in love, loosing Tommy only to find him, again and again. She remembered every emotion, every tear, every laugh, the feeling in her stomach when she was in Tommy's arms and the heartbreak she felt knowing she had hurt him when she left.

As the memories flashed through her mind, her emotions broke through every barrier and soon her vision was too blurred with repressed tears to see.

She pulled off to the side of the road, turned her bike off and gave into every emotion, her body shaking as she relived every pain and reveled in every regret.

She was in a world of her own until a vibration against her skin brought her back to reality. She pulled her cell phone out of her jacket pocket and briefly glanced at the screen before flipping it open.

"Hey, Tay, sorry, but now's just not a good time."

"Jude! I've had the best idea ever! I want you to help with vocals on my newest song!"

When Jude had said her first word, Taylor had exploded in excitement, completely missing Jude's plea to be alone.

Jude hesitated, but knew that she couldn't reschedule because she was leaving and she wanted to spend as much time as possible with Taylor before she had to go.

Taking a deep breath, Jude gathered strength so her voice wouldn't crack. "Sure, Tay. I'll head right over."

Taylor squealed in excitement, which was a rare occurrence. "Thank you so much, Jude! See you soon!"

Jude flipped her phone shut and took a final deep breath before latching her helmet on again and revving the engine back to life. Not giving herself time to change her mind, Jude sped off down the road toward G-Major. After fifteen minutes, she pulled into the alley and parked her bike. Unlatching her helmet, Jude slowly walked to the front door. She placed her hand on the door handle, took a deep breath, put on a fake smile and pulled it open, praying for the strength to somehow get through this day.

A/N: What did you think? Review, please!