412
Still Frame
Alexz Voice Over
After several long awaited months my day has come. Today, finally, my movie premieres. It still surprises me that I landed the part. Never thought of myself being an actress. I've got a really busy next two weeks, and this is how it starts off, so maybe the next fourteen days won't be so bad either.
Julie made her way down the hall to Tommy's door. Her fist hit the door, "Daddy! C'mon I gots school." she said to the door, "You awake?" she asked while turning the door knob thinking she heard him talking.
Tommy laid in bed, staring toward his door, "Hey sweety."
"You gotta make me breakfast ya know."
He nodded his head, "I know. I'll be there in a minute." Tommy told her as he watched her nod her head like 'yeah right' and walk out the door.
As the door shut the covers next to Tommy flew up, "You think she knew I was here?" Jude asked quickly.
Tommy couldn't help but laugh at her, "She's five Jude. Stop being so paranoid."
I'd like to call it, watching our asses, but I guess paranoid is okay too.
She sat up, "Well you know. I mean she doesn't really know that we're.. Ya know. Back, I guess." she told him, "What if she brings it up to Porchia. She'll tell Darius and we're both in for it."
He put his arm around her. "Like I said. She's five. I could just tell Darius you were over and kids don't know everything."
"Yeah and when she says, 'Jude was wearing daddy's shirt'—" she told him while picking at the sleeve of his shirt she was wearing. "—what are you gonna say?"
He laughed again, "I'll tell him you look damn good in it." Tommy kissed her forehead and ran his hand up her arm.
So not all of the next two weeks are going to be great. Saying good bye... God, I don't even want to think about it.
"Daddy!" came Julie's voice from down the hall.
Jude flew back under the covers again as Julie came through Tommy's door seconds later.
"I'm comin'." he told, answering her question before she had time to answer it and getting out of bed.
"Good, 'cause someone needs to cook me breakfast..." she said making her way back down the hall, her voice trailing off.
Once she rounded the corner, Tommy pulled the door shut again, "Hey." he said causing Jude to pop her head from under the covers, "Go change, sneak out back and knock on my front door."
Jude hopped out of his bed. While grabbing her stuff, she watched Tommy watch out the door, "What happened to—" she mimicked his voice, "—She's only five, stop being paranoid."
He smiled at her as he walked out his bedroom door.
After Julie had her cereal Tommy helped her pack her backpack up and headed for the door, right as the door bell rang.
"I got it! I got it!" Julie exclaimed a little to excited. She opened the door and a smile grew on her face, "Jude!"
"Hey!" she said as Julie jumped and gave Jude a hug.
"How come you never come to daddy's anymore?"
Tommy helped her put her backpack on, "You want Jude to come over more often?"
Julie nodded her head, "Uh huh," and made her way toward the car.
"Want to come with me to drop her off?" he asked while holding his arm out to link his with hers.
"Oh what a gentleman. I thought you'd never ask." Jude told him while linking arms and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Only for you, girl. Only for you."
Only for me.
Opening Credits
Tommy and Jude paraded into G-Major laughing about God knows what. Jude was in just such a good mood.
"Jude," came Darius' voice from behind them.
Tommy instantly moved a few feet away from her. They weren't doing anything, but hey, better safe than sorry right?
Jude looked over her shoulder to face him, "Yeah?"
"Just got off the phone with Travis. He wants to know who your guest is."
Jude glanced at Tommy, unsure of what Darius would say if she invited Tommy to go.
"Is it Tom?" he asked.
"Not if you're gonna lecture me about it, no."
"Hey, you two wanna be friends, be friends. I made my point clear. I don't want my producer dating my artist. Press had a field day last time this happened and—"
"Alright, D. Alright." Tommy said cutting him off, "We're only friends. We thought about it, and you're right. It's better this way."
"Damn right, I'm right."
"Well then, yeah, Tommy's my guest." she said plainly, not looking Darius in the eye. She was convinced he was going to find out.
"Alright, I'll give him a call back." he pulled his cell phone out, "If you two don't want to go over the song for the gig today then you can have the day off."
"Day off?" Tommy questioned. Was this the same Darius?
"Yeah. Sewer should be rolling in anytime today. Got enough stuff on my hands to worry about."
"Patsy's comin' back today?"
"Yeah," he said while placing the phone to his ear and checking his watch, "Within the next hour or so—Travis!" Darius made his way toward his office.
"Want to go do something crazy?" Jude asked.
"As much as I'd love the day off, I think you should work on that song."
"I'm sick of working on that song." she told him as they made their way to the studio. "I don't get why Speiderman wanted me to cut this song with them."
"Your lyrics. Their style. It's a good match."
"It's different."
"Saying you can't handle a little change Harrison?" he asked.
Her jaw dropped a little as a small smile grew on her face, "Oh, I can handle it."
"Prove it."
And she did. She made her way into the recording booth, and for what seemed like forever, was only twenty minutes. Only three times she had sung the song and still it just wasn't right.
"Okay, lets try this again."
"This was supposed to be a nice acoustic song ya know."
Ignoring her comment, "Alright, ready in five, four, three, two—" and the music began.
"I've done everything as you say,
I followed your rules without question,
I thought it would help me see things clearly,
but instead of helping me to see,
I look around and it's like I'm—"
Tommy cut the music.
"Uh, problem?" she asked.
"I'm not feeling this."
"Why not try it how I wrote it?" she asked while removing her headphones and picking up an acoustic guitar, "Wanna try it?"
Just then Speed walked in, "I think you two need to work on this."
"What?" Speed asked.
"My lovely song that you murdered with your damn power chords."
"Oh," he said taking a seat, placing his feet on the edge of the soundboard. "What do you expect? Lyrics like those, don't go with little guitar pickings dude."
"Well I can't nail it your way."
"'Cause you're not in the mood to sing it."
Tommy looked at him like he was nuts. He thought all Vincent Speiderman knew how to do was run his fingers up and down a fret board. Oh, and say 'dude'. What did he know about being in the right mood to sing a song.
"I need to be out of control to sing this song?"
"Take a few lessons from Patsy." he said while opening a pack of starburst, and turning to Tommy, "What's wrong with the song?"
"Nothing. It's fine how it's coming along, but it's just got that vibe, like, it can be so much better."
"Well enough of this." Jude said while setting the guitar back down and making her way into the studio. "If the song's okay to perform, then I think jumping at that opportunity for a day off is a good idea."
"You're not gonna catch up with Jamie dude?"
"What?"
"Patsy and everyone just got in a few minutes before I came in."
"—And that crazy bus driver is not driving next time!" came Patsy's voice from the other room.
"I'm guessing tour was loads of fun." Tommy said while standing up.
"Where you going?" Jude asked.
"You wanted to leave didn't you?"
"Nice to tell me we are." she replied while standing up with him.
"I gotta get goin' too. Gotta pick up Kaiden. I'll see you later okay dude?" he said to Jude as he stood up as well.
"Pick up Kaiden? It's eleven o clock."
"She didn't go to school today." he said quickly, making his way out the door, "Two thirty. Be there."
"Yeah, yeah."
"You seem to have quite a busy day today girl."
"Yeah. You gonna come root me on at the gig?"
"Of course." he told her as they made their way out the door to find Patsy arguing with Liam and Jamie laying down on the couch.
"Jude!" he said while sitting up, "Hey,"
"Hey!" she said, excited to see him.
He stood up, "How've you been?" he said looking at her and Tommy, "I heard how you two are—"
"Going to my movie premiere tonight!" she said quickly cutting him off.
Liam looked over, listening.
"No. I mean how you two are—"
"Jamie!" yelled Patsy, cutting him off.
Saved by the Patsy, Jude thought, "Jamie, I missed you so much!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck. Jude whispered in his ear, "Don't. Say. Anything!"
After she broke the embrace Jamie just put the weirdest expression on his face then looked over to Liam who looked extremely suspicious. Then it all clicked. "I heard how the album's almost finished, how you guys are coming through with another platinum record."
Liam turned his attention back to a pissed off Patsy. Her tour went great, but she just needed something to complain about. 'Damn Music Industry These Days'.
"Uhh, Liam, we're taking off." Tommy said, trying to get outta there quick before Jamie opened his big mouth again.
"Yes, alright. Jude, remember your gig at two thirty today."
"I know Liam." she responded following Tommy out.
Once in the parking lot they both let out a sigh of relief, "That was close." Jude said.
"How'd Andrews find out about us?"
"I don't know. Maybe he called home for me and talked to Kaiden."
Tommy rolled his eyes, "Lord knows she has a big mouth."
Jude halfway laughed. "That was really close."
He opened the car door for her, "You said that." he said with a smile.
"I know." she told him while getting in the car, "But still."
"Don't dread on it Jude." Tommy got in the car, "Liam was too busy picking his ego up from whatever Patsy was saying to him."
Jude laughed, "He looked like she was ripping him apart."
Tommy smiled, "So where to?" he asked while starting the car.
"Run by my house. I'd rather not go around in clothes I wore yesterday." she said with a smile, as they drove off.
Speed pulled his car up to the curb outside the psychiatrist office. He wanted to help her out with this as much as he could by being there for her. He leaned against the passenger side of the car waiting for her to come out. Not all of her sessions went well, but who could blame her. She did see someone who she was extremely close with die right in front of her.
Kaiden walked out of the office onto the sidewalk looking like a complete mess. Forgetting how Speed insisted on being there and picking her up he caught her off guard when she saw him. She gave him a small head nod as he made his way toward her, "Hey." she told him.
"Hey," he said in a concerned tone, "You okay?" he asked, knowing something was wrong, and he was right. He could tell she tried to prevent it, but her eyes had filled with water as she just fell into his arms and began to cry.
"I just can't do it anymore.."
He knew this wasn't about Sean. "I can't either." he told her, causing her to shoot a look of confusion at him, "I'm going to talk to Yvette. Serious, yet, respectfully."
"No.." she began, while wiping away her tears. Kaiden took a deep breath, "I have to do it."
Speed wiped away a stray tear, "You sure?"
She nodded her head, "I want you with me though."
He only smiled and pulled her into another hug, "Of course dude."
A smile grew on her face as he held onto her.
"I'm the smoke from your fire," Jude sang while walking up to her front door, "I'm that lie you can trust. I'm the chord on your guitar, I'm that girl you can't shut up." Tommy joined her, "I'm the blood you might need, in the car when you speed. In that cigarette you breathe. You can't get rid of me!"
"I don't want to get rid of you." he said as he threw his arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead.
"Aw, my guy's funny and sweet." she said as they walked in the house.
She instantly spotted her dad in the living room, "Where have you been?" he asked.
"Nice to see you too pops." she replied while taking off her jacket.
Yvette came in from the kitchen, "Is Kaiden with you?" she snapped.
"No.." Jude replied, shaking her head.
"I'm gonna kill her!" Yvette said while throwing her hands in the air and making her way back into the kitchen.
"Why what's wrong?" Jude asked.
"She didn't come home last night." Stuart began, "Thought she was with you."Before Jude could answer Kaiden came through the door with Speed.
Yvette's rushed back in, face flamed up as she charged toward her, "Where the hell have you been!"
Speed stood in front of Kaiden, unsure of what Yvette was going to do.
"She was with you wasn't she you little bastard?" she got in Speed's face, throwing her finger into his chest.
"Hey!" Jude said, standing next to Speed, but Yvette ignored her and grabbed Kaiden's arm, knocking Speed and Jude out of the way.
"Where were you!" she yelled, gripping Kaiden's arm, pulling her toward her.
"Yvette.." Stuart said while heading over to her.
"Let me go!" Kaiden yelled while jerking her arm free and heading up the stairs.
"Let me guess, time to make a new mark?" she shouted, watching her run up to her room.
Jude was about to say something, but like everyone else was scared to death. She felt Tommy grab hold of her hand.
"You'd just love that, wouldn't you?" Kaiden yelled from the top of the stairs as she disappeared down the hall.
Speed, being brave took a step toward the stairs to follow Kaiden and see if she was okay.
"Where the hell do you think you're going! Get outta here!" Yvette shouted, grabbing hold of Speed's arm as well.
"Get your hands off me!" he yelled back at her, while pulling his arm away from her.
Stuart was behind Yvette, pulling her away from everyone to calm her down.
"You're lucky I don't get your ass in jail you little—" but Yvette was cut off as Kaiden reappeared at the top of the stairs, throwing a small locked box down toward Yvette.
"I'm not, doing this anymore!" she shouted as she broke down right then and there.
The box hit the ground, shattering into pieces as little blades and sharp objects spread across the floor. Jude backed into Tommy's arms as she covered her mouth. She remembered that box. She remembered.
What caught everyone off guard was when Yvette started crying. No one knew if it was out of shock, or anger, or if she really did give a damn about Kaiden and was sad for her.
Speed ran up to the top of the stairs and helped Kaiden stand up. He needed to get her out of there, and he did, leaving without another word to Yvette. "I'll call you dude." he said quickly to Jude before he walked out the door.
"Dad." Jude said simply, causing Stuart to look up. "I need to talk to you." she paused and looked straight at Yvette, while gripping Tommy's hand a little tighter, "Alone."
Yvette didn't need to be told twice as she just instantly went up stairs. Tommy started to release her hand, but Jude kept hold of his.
"You want me to stay?" he asked confused. He thought the squeeze she gave him meant him as well.
"You're staying." she said, keeping her eyes on her dad.
"I thought you wanted to talk alone Jude."
"No. I want to talk without Yvette around."
"I don't want to talk in front of—"
"I'll give you a choice then. You're daughter. Or you're psycho crazy bitch girlfriend." she told him as she watched him get angry.
"Lets talk." he said quickly.
"You gotta talk to Yvette dad. This is crazy."
"Jude—"
"No, hear me out." she told him, "Kaiden's a mess every day because of Yvette. You have to do something."
"What do you want me to do!" he asked getting a little irritated.
"I don't know, you seem to be the only one she listens to!"
"Well I agree with her on a lot of the stuff she gets on Kaiden's case for!"
Jude was taken back, "What?" she asked rather calmly, but more out of shock.
"If it were up to me, I wouldn't let you hang around with her—" he pointed to the shattered box, "look at this Jude! She's not exactly the kind of kid you want to be paling around with!"
"I can't believe you're saying this."
"Jude, c'mon lets just go." Tommy said, trying to lead her to the door, but her feet stayed planted in place.
"No Tommy." she told him while staring at her dad, "Why are you being like this? You're not stupid, you know Yvette treats her like dirt. Why are you even still with a person like that?"
Stuart hesitated, hating disappointing his daughter like that,"Because I love her. That's all that matters. I've made mistakes, and I have a second chance. Let me make it right. Please."
She was taken back again. He wasn't changing his mind, "You used to be my hero dad."
"Jude.."
"No.. Ya know you really did." she paused, holding back tears, "Now I don't even know who you are. I can't even look at you.."
"Come on Jude." Tommy said while pulling her away, watching silent tears roll down her face.
She looked down at the ground and made her way to the door, but looked back at her dad for one last time, "You're just like mom now."
Stuart was speechless. He kept opening his mouth, but nothing would come out as he watched Tommy drape his arm around his daughter's shoulder and leave out the front door.
Outside Jude wiped away her tears, holding back the tears that wanted more than anything to escape from her eyes.
"I have that gig.." she said quietly.
"You don't have to go."
"Yeah.. I do.. Can you take me?"
"Jude—"
"Please. I just need to clear my head."
Tommy sighed, "Yeah."
First Commercial
Jude walked backstage with Tommy, splitting up as she made her way back to her dressing room. As she went to turn the door knob she felt a hand grab her shoulder and turned around to face Liam.
She caught her breath, "Gees, Liam you scared me.."
He nodded his head with a straight face, keeping his hand on her shoulder, "Listen Jude. You and Tommy aren't pulling the wool over my eyes ya hear?"
On the inside she was jumping back freaking out, but on the outside she just squished her face and looked at him like she had no idea, "What are you talking about?" she asked as she felt him give her a tighter grip.
"Ah, trying to cover it up still 'ey? If I were you I'd be thanking me that I don't inform Darius."
She was at a stand still. He knew, and she knew that, but what should she do? Deny or give in? "Inform Darius about what?" choosing denial while shaking her shoulder out of his grip.
"Have it your way then." he told her as her stared into her face of confusion, "One movie doesn't make you the perfect actress Jude. Have it your way."
"I will." she snapped back as she made her way into her dressing room.
About ten minutes later Speed stood on stage with Wally and Kyle as some guy introduced the band and Jude, as she walked up seconds behind the announcer, "And here is the Speiderman Mind Explosion with Jude Harrison!"
Jude stepped up to the mic, as Speed stepped up to his own, and the band kicked in as Jude began to sing.
"I've done everything as you say,
I followed your rules without question,
I thought it would help me see things clearly,
But instead of helping me to see, I look around and it's like I'm blinded.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
Go!
Where should I go?
Do!
What should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me.
Know!
'Cause I don't know,
You!
If I can trust you,
I don't understand what you want from me.
I feel like I'm spinning out of control,
Try to focus but everything's twisted.
And all along I thought you would be there,
Thought you would be there,
To let me know, I'm not alone,
But in fact that's exactly what I was.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
Go!
Where should I go?
Do!
What should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me.
Know!
'Cause I don't know,
You!
If I can trust you,
And all those things that you've said to me.
And I may never know the answer to this endless mystery.
Go!
Where should I go?
Do!
What should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me.
You're still a mystery,
You're still a mystery.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
Go!
Where should I go?
Do!
What should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me.
Know!
'Cause I don't know,
You!
If I can trust you,
And all those things that you've said to me.
And I may never know the answer to this endless mystery.
Go!
Where should I go?
Do!
What should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me.
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!
I'm spinning out of control...out of control!"
As the music died Jude looked throughout the crowd for Tommy, but didn't see him anywhere, and didn't really have time to look for him as Wally tapped her arm, to get off stage for the next act.
"Wally," she began as they got off the stage, "Did you see Tommy anywhere?"
He shook his head as Kyle turned around, "He was arguing with Liam in the back."
Jude turned around, peeping through the doorway at the crowd to see if she could spot him but was interrupted as a sound technician stopped her and led her back stage. "Hey Speed," she yelled catching up to him.
He turned around and looked at her with no emotion on his face, "Yeah?"
Hating herself for ignoring how he was feeling she asked, "Are you heading back to the studio?"
"Sorry Jude, I'm goin' back home."
"I can give ya a ride Jude." Wally spoke up.
Watching Speed make his way toward the backdoor she called Kyle over, "Hey," she said, signaling. As he approached her, "You going with him?"
"Yeah," he looked over his shoulder at Speed walking out the backdoor, "dude's been an emotional wreck since we got here."
"Okay, well I'm sure he won't want to talk about it, so... ya know... just—just let him know you're there for him."
"I will."
"Alright," she said, grabbing Wally's arm in a hurry, "lets go."
Jude walked into G-Major after getting dropped off by Wally. He, too, went to go make sure Speed was okay. As she continued her way in, getting closer to Darius' office she heard Tommy yelling, only seconds later being followed up by Darius. Knowing she couldn't go in she listened from outside.
"And how am I supposed to believe you!" Darius roared.
"I never lied! There's nothing goin' on man!"
"Please! That girl jumps to the next guy the second after she breaks up! You want to tell me you weren't there holding an open shoulder!"
Jude stepped back, shocked at what she had just heard as anger raced through her body. Did Darius just politely call her a hoe? She heard Tommy start to yell again as she started to open the handle. Eavesdropping or not, he was gonna hear from her, but she was stopped. Porchia put her hand on Jude's shoulder, startling her.
"Jude, c'mon."
"Porchia!" she said, startled, "Gees, you scared me!"
"Sorry," she told her while leading her away from his office, "You're late Jude, c'mon. You don't want to miss the premiere do you?"
"Porchia I—"
But Porchia cut her off, "Come on. We need to get you dressed."
"I just really—"
"Jude!" she yelled, startling her again.
Jude froze. Ever since Porchia came back from her month off with Julie, she's been so distant. Now she's starting to yell? What's wrong with her, Jude thought, but she didn't want to push her so she followed her to get changed. Tommy could handle Darius. Hopefully.
Maybe an hour later Tommy and Kwest were in the studio mixing one of Mason's songs. Kwest was doing more of the work actually, while Tommy sat there tugging at his hair.
"One more try Mason, okay?" Kwest said as Mason nodded in response and Kwest hit the background music.
"Who... Who does he think he is!" Tommy asked aloud.
"I don't know man." he answered simply.
"I mean.. He's got no right talkin' about her like that! He doesn't know why she did what she did, or... or how that Freddy guy treated her and he sure as hell doesn't have a right to say if we should be together or not!"
Kwest sighed, seeing that Tommy wanted to talk, and he had to be in this, "Listen man, maybe you and Jude ishould/i cool it."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, finally looking at Kwest, "There's nothing goin' on."
Kwest gave him a look like, 'don't BS me.', "I'm you're best friend and you're not even gonna tell me?"
Tommy gave him a sarcastic smirk, "Nothin' to tell."
"Man, a stranger passing you two on a sidewalk can tell there's stuff going on."
Tommy just turned his head, "I don't need this from you too." he told him while standing up and throwing on a nice jacket.
"What are you all dressed up for?"
"I'm going with Jude to her movie premiere." Tommy fixed his shirt. Not too formal, not too tacky.
"That girl probably took over an hour to get ready, and all you're gonna do is throw on one of your nice dinner jackets?"
"Easy bein' a guy I guess." he told Kwest as he made his way out the door.
"Don't hurt her man."
Tommy looked back at him, "Funny."
He came around the corner, adjusting the neck to his shirt as he came face to face with Jude. His eyes traveled over her whole body, "Wow.." he breathed, his eyes meeting hers.
"You like?" she asked, while slowly spinning in front of him with a smile. She knew he liked it.
Tommy spotted Darius coming out of his office, "Uh..." he began to stutter, keeping his eyes on Darius, "you're gonna be late.. We need to get goin'." Tommy told her while gently grabbing her arm and leading her toward the door.
After a few steps she slowly let her arm slip from his grip and made her way a few paces ahead of Tommy towards the door. Confused by her actions, he let her go. Probably better they weren't walking together, he thought to himself. Especially when she was dressed like that making Tommy want to skip the premiere and take her back to his place.
They both got inside Tommy's Porsche silently. As the car started Tommy noticed the time. They had forty minutes to get halfway across town, "We're gonna be late!" he exclaimed as he peeled out. They had been driving almost ten minutes and Jude still hadn't said anything, "Something wrong?" he asked.
His voice broke her daze out the window as she glanced over her shoulder, then continued to stare out the window.
"Me? What the hell did I do?" he asked. First Darius jumps all over him, now Jude's got something against him?
"Nothing." she said simply. "It was stupid."
"Then why won't you look at me?"
Again she was silent.
"Oh come on. You haven't said anything since you asked how you looked back at the studio!"
She shot him a look like, 'duh'.
"You're not seriously upset that I didn't answer you!"
"Oh you answered!" she replied, turning in her seat facing him, "I believe it was something like—" she mocked his voice, "—'you're gonna be late, we gotta go'."
"You look amazing Jude!" he said a little loudly, "You didn't need to hear me tell you that!" he stopped at a red light, "If you're gonna throw a little tantrum like this, do it to someone else. I got a lot of stuff to deal with right now."
Jude looked like she just got slapped. Might as well have.
The light turned green as Tommy shifted into gear and took off, getting on an on ramp to the freeway. Jude sniffed, causing him to look over at her, only to see tears silently traveling down her face. He felt like such a jerk. "Jude I'm sorry.." he told her.
Her crying got a little heavier as she tried to wipe her tears, "Ya know, I don't ever need to hear stuff like that..." her voice trailed off, "But today I did.."
His heart broke, as he heard her crying get heavier. Tommy switched lanes and pulled off the freeway onto a side street.
"What are you doing? Tommy, we're gonna be late."
He put his arm on her shoulder and pulled her as close to him as possible, "I'm so sorry. I was mad at Darius and taking it out on you."
Jude continued to cry, resting her forehead on Tommy's shoulder, "Why can't it just stop?"
He rubbed his hand up her back, comforting her, letting her cry on his shoulder.
"First the thing with Julie this morning, and Jamie and Patsy. The thing with Kaiden, and Liam and Darius are all suspicious—"
"How'd you know about that?" he asked while interrupting her.
She looked up at him, and tried to pull herself together, "Liam came and talked to me before the gig, and..." she was hesitant, not even sure she wanted to replay what she overheard Darius say, "I heard you and Darius arguing."
He sighed, "Jude, don't listen to Darius. He doesn't know about anything that he's talking about." he stared into her eyes, "And to answer your question from earlier," he ran his thumb under her eye, "you look beautiful."
She smiled at him.
He put a thinking face on, "Or... maybe I should say looked." he told her jokingly as he showed her his black thumb from her eye liner and mascara.
She couldn't help but laugh with him as she pulled out a tissue from her purse and fixed her makeup in the rearview mirror.
"Now we're really gonna be late." he said as he turned the car back on. Before pulling out to get back on the freeway he looked over to her, "You okay?"
She nodded as she looked from the mirror to him, "Best I can be right now."
He smiled at her and moved the hair from in front of her face, bringing his hand down her cheek. She kissed his hand as he smiled and pulled out.
Speeding up to the valེ, Tommy and Jude only, just, made it to the premiere. The time when she was supposed to show up with the rest of the cast. Not having the biggest part in the movie she didn't have to walk to red carpet into the theater, so Travis showed her and Tommy in himself, happy to see her.
"It's Quincy right?" Travis asked as the three made their way into the theater.
Tommy nodded, "Yeah."
"Oh, Jude, why don't you go join your fellow cast mates."
"Uh," she said hesitant as she looked between the two. She felt that she better agree with Travis for her best interests, "Okay.." she looked over to Tommy as she made her way toward the rest of the cast, "I'll see you when the movie starts?"
Tommy nodded as he watched her walk away, wondering why Travis had wanted to be alone with him.
"Not trying to be a jerk, since we don't really know each other, but Darius asked me to watch you two." Travis told him, while staring out into the party.
Tommy kept his eyes over toward Jude. They both knew they weren't going to look at each other through this conversation. "What do you mean watching us?" he asked cooly.
"Make sure you two don't do anything." he said as he looked at Tommy, who he saw was staring over toward Jude, "I see it in your eyes man." This caused Tommy to look over at him, "Personally, I don't think Darius should have any say so on Jude's personal life."
Tommy nodded, "You're right." So this guy isn't so bad, Tommy thought.
"Yeah, well, so ya know, I'm not gonna say anything to Darius, but I don't know who else he's talked to, to watch over you guys."
"Why are you doing this for us?" he asked. Reasonable question. "Better question, why are you doing this for me? You don't even know me."
"At first, I was gonna go along with what Darius asked, but then once I thought about it, he had no reason to be butting in like that." he told him as Tommy nodded his head. Travis continued, "When Jude was with that Frank—whatever his name was, I could see how she was trying to be happy. Trying to fool everyone." he saw Tommy's face ask how, so he answered him before Tommy asked, "I'm a movie director. I know these things."
"Yeah.."
"Anyway. When she walked in tonight, she was so different. I still wasn't sure if I was gonna go along with Darius or not, but seeing how happy she was—knowing it was from you, I couldn't."
"Thanks." he replied, not knowing what else to say.
"Jude's a real great girl. I don't know you, but if you make her happy, that's all that matters."
Tommy didn't know what to say. At first he thought this guy was going to be a complete jerk, but he wasn't. It made him think that if him and Jude stopped sneaking around maybe it wouldn't be for the worst. So the press trashed them last time, but he didn't care. It didn't look like Jude minded much either. They both just wanted to be together, and Jude was a lot older, and more mature. If only Darius could see that, although he had a point too. What if he and Jude messed up again? It'd crush Jude and Tommy knew it. He also knew her next few songs following that would kill—possibly him. So really Darius' point sucked, and Travis' was word from the bible in Tommy's eyes. Him and Jude make each other happy.
He noticed Travis look down at his watch and his eyes widen, "Well, the premiere's about to start." he began while looking to Tommy, "And I think you'd rather go see Jude than sit and talk to me." Travis told him with a smile.
Tommy nodded, "Thanks man." he told him while holding out his hand.
Travis shook it, "No problem, but I'd warn Jude if I were you. Like I said, I don't know who else Darius talked to so."
"I will." he nodded and the two men made their way into the crowd of people; Tommy heading instantly for Jude. His girl.
A warm smile spread across her face as she saw Tommy make his way toward her, "Hey guys," she said referring to her fellow cast mates, "I'll catch up with you later." and with that, departed from the group without even awaiting for a response.
"Don't touch me Harrison." he told her as she stopped in front of him.
"What?" she asked, looking at him. The press was all over the place, she had no intentions of going all PDA on him. "What happened with you and Travis?" Jude questioned with worry.
Tommy smiled, "Nothing. Darius asked him to watch and make sure we don't do anything."
"What?" she asked quickly while looking around.
He let out a small laugh, "Don't worry. He thinks Darius should mind his own business."
Jude was a little shocked, "What?" she asked with a nervous laugh.
"Just," he began while running his hand down her arm and staring into her eyes, "we have to be careful. Until Darius and Liam get over this at least."
She wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms right then and there, "Come on." she told him, "lets go into the non-press-affiliated movie theater and try and catch a seat up in the corner."
Tommy chuckled, "We can plan a little slumber party over at my house for tonight if you want."
"Only if I'm the only one invited." she answered with a grin.
It wasn't long til after Jude's last scene that her head fell onto Tommy's shoulder to drift off into sleep. She didn't realize how tired and exhausted she was until she found herself in a comfy chair in a nice dark air conditioned room.
Tommy smiled at her and was going to say something, but decided not to. No one was really paying attention, and so what if someone tells Darius? Would he of rather had Jude fall asleep on the bald guy next to him?
The movie ended and Tommy woke Jude up and made their way out of the theater. She stretched as she and Tommy went through the doors finding the press and reporters trying to catch all the stars coming out. Cleverly, Tommy got him and Jude through the paparazzi without being questioned once.
"How long was I asleep?" she asked as they made their way toward the Porsche.
Tommy opened her door for her, "I'd say a good forty minutes." he replied, "Ya know you're lucky the press wasn't allowed in the theater," Tommy got inside. "Jude Harrison—Falls Asleep At World Premiere Only Seconds After Her Part Was Over."
She playfully hit his arm as they began to leave the parking lot, "Hey, I've had a long day."
"You're missing the after party. You must be tired." he paused, "You still want to come over?"
She sat there for a few seconds thinking about it before she finally answered, "Actually, I think I need to find Kaiden and go home."
He nodded, completely understanding, "Know where she is?"
"At Speeds."
"Alright. Lets go get her." he said while taking Jude's hand in his. She looked up at him, making Tommy look over to her, "It's gonna be okay." he told her as she looked up at him, still unsure, still scared, and still mad to go home.
Second Commercial
Jude and Kaiden quietly made their way up to the door, stopping in the doorway, both scared to go in.
"This is it." Kaiden said barely audible.
Jude nodded her head as she looked over her shoulder at Tommy, waiting for them to get in. He smiled at her as she took a deep breath and turned the handle on the door. She looked back one last time and slowly waved good bye as her and Kaiden made their way inside.
All the lights were off as they both figured Yvette and Stuart were asleep. It was one in the morning after all. Both girls didn't say a word to each other as they made their way up the stairs in an awkward silence.
Finally breaking the ice, "Well," Kaiden said while coming up the hall. Jude hoped maybe Kaiden would bring up what happened earlier so she wouldn't, but was quickly disappointed. "Good night." she said quickly while opening her bedroom door and going inside.
She didn't respond, not like she had anyone to respond to. Kaiden was in her bedroom quicker than Jude could think. Well, at one in the morning at least. There she stood in the hallway of her house. The house that's changed so much. The house she found her dad with Yvette. The house she found her mom with Don. The house that her mom put up for sale so she could leave the country. The house her father bought back. The house that brought Kaiden into her life, and with Kat gone, she really needed a best friend again. It was the house that Sadie was absent from. And it was the house that Jude used to love to come home too, but now wasn't so sure these days.
Jude quietly turned back toward Kaiden's door, and silently knocked. When no response came she opened the door herself, finding Kaiden laying on her bed, just staring at the ceiling, still in the same attire from before.
"Kaiden," she began, while sitting at the end of her bed. Kaiden didn't budge, "We need to talk."
"About?" she asked, plain and simple, keeping her attention on the little dots on the ceiling.
"I think you know." she told her, shifting her eyes to the floor.
Kaiden let out a big sigh and sat up, "I'm sorry."
Jude was caught by surprise as she flipped her head back to look at Kaiden, "What? Why—"
"Because I know what you want to talk about. I'm just going to start my apologies now." she was talking in almost a whisper.
"Kaiden—"
"No Jude. I messed up. Bad. I'm sorry."
Another silence fell upon them and it wasn't until a good five minutes that Jude decided to break it, "It's just..." she began, feeling Kaiden look up at her for the first time all night, "I thought after what happened last year... I thought it was over. You never stopped."
Kaiden let her head fall down, "I tried. But it's over now." she looked up at Jude again, catching eye contact, "I promise, it's over now."
"Thank you." Jude replied as she hugged Kaiden, letting her cry on her shoulder.
"No." she paused, "Thank you."
Jude walked into G-Major the next morning, a little afraid in case someone had told Darius about her little nap in the premiere the night before, but the studio seemed just as normal as ever, and Darius was no where around. She made her way into studio A, finding Kwest and Tommy listening over 'My Happy Ending'.
Tommy smiled when she walked in, "Ready to get this album wrapped up Super Star?"
She nodded in response, "I'm ready." and made her way into the recording booth with the feeling that she didn't know quite how to explain. A feeling caused by Tommy, and she didn't know what she was going to do when that tour bus pulled away in 8 days, with Tommy only waving good bye.
413 Watch The World Part 1
promo
With the tour approaching quicker than expected Jude's running out of time for everything. She's got her forth album to finish, a secret relationship with Tommy, a best friend who really needs someone right now, and to top it off another person comes crashing into her life to just add onto the drama.
