A/N: I know it has been a little while since my last update and I am sorry for that. I just never felt like writing even though I already knew how I wanted this chapter to go. I finally got the inspiration to sit down and write, so here it is. It is shorter than the other chapters, but it is more of a filler/set up chapter. I hope everyone likes it and please comment. As always I do not own Instant Star or Broken by Lifehouse
Chapter 33
"Jude wake up or you are going to be late for kitchen duty." Alice says as she shakes me in an attempt to wake me.
"Five more minutes." I mumble through my pillow.
"No more minutes or you won't get to perform in the final show." Alice states pointedly.
"Fine" I groan out as I reluctantly get out of bed and ready for the day.
"Please remind me again why I am up at the ass crack of dawn?" I ask with a huff, as Alice and I walk into the cafeteria.
"Because you can't keep your mouth shut." Alice replies with a smirk.
"Shut up" I say shoving her shoulder.
"Jude get in here." The kitchen leader, May, shouts from the kitchen door.
"I better go. Thank you for getting my ass up." I say before hugging Alice and heading to the kitchen.
"I better get muffins straight from the oven out of this." Alice shouts at me as she takes a seat at an empty table close to the kitchen.
"Whatever you desire my lady." I reply playfully with a little curtsy.
"In that case, I want the whole pan of muffins and fresh French pressed coffee with three sugars." Alice states in a British accent, causing us both to bust out laughing.
"Where the hell is Jude?" Annabell shouts as she bust into the empty cafeteria.
"She is busy at the moment, can I give her a message?" Alice asks calmly, standing up to block Annabell from the kitchen door.
"I need to talk to her, now." Annabell demands angrily.
"Annabell, what's wrong?" I ask from the kitchen, still focused on making the muffins.
"Like you don't already know." Annabell bites out.
"Look if this is about Peter getting kicked out-" I start but am cut off before I can finish.
"You got him kicked out and I bet you don't even feel bad about it." Annabell states bitterly.
"First off, I didn't get him kicked out, he got himself kicked out because he broke the rules. Second, I do feel a little bad about it because Peter use to be a good guy, but after the way he has been acting lately I could care less about what happens to him." I explain as calmly as possible.
"I can't believe I defended you. Peter was right, all you care about is yourself." Annabell replies pointedly before spinning around to storm out of the cafeteria.
"What the hell was that about?" Alice asks confused.
"I guess they were a lot closer than I thought." I reply simply.
"I feel so bad for her. Peter was so clearly using her to get to you." Alice says as she sits back down at her table.
"I feel bad for her too, but we can't change that now." I reply simply.
"Hey, people are starting to file in. Are you ready for all the crap talk that's about to occur?" Alice questions concerned.
"Peter isn't here and I doubt his minions can do any worse than him." I reply confidently.
(~~**~~)
"They have her working in the kitchen to make sure she eats, seeing as she is obviously anorexic." Lily states.
"I highly doubt that she is anorexic. Her hips are way too big to be anorexic. She probably asked for kitchen duty so she could eat more without anyone seeing just how much of a fatty she is." Chloe chimes in.
"Who cares why she got kitchen duty, her having it just provides us more opportunities to mess with her." Sam states with a smirk.
"Jude, oh Jude Darling, can you please bring the juice pitcher back over her?" Lily calls out with a giggle.
"Coming" I reply with a sigh.
"Thanks" Lily says as sweet as possible.
"You're welcome." I state as I turn to leave. As I am walking away, someone sticks their leg out causing me to trip and fall. As I fall, I throw the juice pitcher in the air causing it to pour all over me.
"Smooth moves." Sam calls out as everyone in the cafeteria busts out laughing.
"Jude are you okay?" Alice asks as she rushes to my side.
"I'm fine, just a little wet." I reply calmly while holding back my anger.
"Jude, you can be done for this morning. Go get changed." May says sympathetically once I return to the kitchen.
"Thanks" I reply with a slight smile before heading out the back door.
(~~**~~)
"I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing/with a broken heart that's still beating/In the pain, there is healing" I sing out loud before writing the lyrics down in my journal.
"Jude" Alice says as she walks into the cabin, but stops once she hears me signing and turns to leave to cabin.
"Tommy, I think you need to call Jude, like now." I over hear Alice say before I return to being engulfed in my music, not fully comprehending the massive amount of concern in Alice's voice.
(~~**~~)
"Hello" I say angrily into the phone without glancing at the caller ID.
"Hello to you too." Tommy's familiar voice echoes through the phone.
"Sorry Tommy, I didn't look at the caller ID before answering." I respond shyly.
"You sound a little angry there, is everything okay?" Tommy asks concerned.
"Fine, just pissed off at my guitar." I reply with a chuckle.
"What did it do this time?" Tommy asks exasperated.
"It won't produce the chords I hear in my head when I think of this new song I am writing." I explain.
"I do believe we have had this conversation many times before, but just to refresh your memory, the guitar doesn't produce the chords, you do. Remember to stay calm and focus on what you want it to sound like and you will figure out the right chords." Tommy says reassuringly with a hint of mocking.
"I know." I reply with a huff.
"Is that all that is wrong? Don't even try to lie because I can tell, even over the phone." Tommy says with a small chuckle.
"You know me too well Quincy." I reply sweetly.
"There is no such thing as too well." Tommy says.
"Well, if I am being honest, there is more going on than just the guitar." I reply reluctantly.
"Tell me what is going on." Tommy states reassuringly.
"That could take days, possibly even months." I reply sarcastically with a small chuckle.
"Come on Jude, be serious and tell me what is going on." Tommy states, the concern growing more evident in his voice.
"Well to start, do you remember that guy Peter?" I ask calmly.
"The guy who stole our song?" Tommy questions.
"Yes, him." I state before continuing telling Tommy about all the shit that is happening. "And this morning Annabell like blew up on me because she thinks I got Peter kicked out, then my old friends tripped me causing me to spill a pitcher full of juice all over myself." I say as I finally finish my story.
"Wow" Tommy states simply.
"Really, that is all I get?" I asks with a little bite to it.
"Of course not, I just needed a minute to process all of this." Tommy explains reassuringly. "Also, I am trying to stay calm here for your sake."
"I know you probably want to kill Peter right now, but he is gone and isn't worth life in prison." I state with a chuckle.
"You are right, but that little punk should get a real beating. What type of guy can hit a girl like that?" Tommy questions, the anger growing in his voice.
"Tommy, please don't worry about that." I say reassuringly.
"I thought I was supposed to be the one reassuring and comforting you?" Tommy questions with a chuckle.
"We have always had our own way of doing things." I reply with a giggle.
"This is true, but it is my turn to talk." Tommy states firmly.
"I'm all ears." I reply sweetly.
"So first I want to say that I am extremely proud of you for sticking up for yourself against Peter and that you aren't seriously hurt. Now on to the more serious stuff. I know that what everyone is saying is getting to you, especially the stuff about what happened this past year, but you need to ignore them. It isn't enough to act like what they are saying doesn't get to you, you actually can't let it get you. Ignore what they are saying and ignore any behavior they might aim at you. If you do this then things will get better. I know it is hard and I know it sucks to be the bigger person sometimes, but you have to do it. It will make you stronger and it will make you an even better song writer and performer." Tommy says sweetly and full of compassion.
"This is why you are the best." I reply shyly.
"I know, but it is nice to hear it in your voice." Tommy replies sweetly.
"Thanks Tommy, I really needed to hear all of that. I know what you are saying is true, and I have been trying like crazy, but it is hard sometimes to just let it roll off my chest." I explain.
"I know it is hard, but just remember that when it gets too hard that you have me and Alice to talk to. Both of us care so much about you and I am pretty sure we would do anything to make you happy again. Just don't be afraid to ask." Tommy states, the compassion clear in his voice.
"Thanks, and I know I should probably be talking to at least one of y'all more. I can tell Alice is insanely worried about me." I reply.
"You should probably talk to her, and say more than just I'm fine." Tommy states firmly.
"I know." I say with a sigh.
"Good, so are you better now?" Tommy asks sweetly.
"I am better, thank you." I reply reassuringly.
"Than my job is done. I hope things get better between now and the end of summer." Tommy states.
"Me too" I reply simply.
"Well, I will let you go now. I can't wait to see you and hear whatever song you have cooking up for the final performance." Tommy states, a hint of longing in his voice.
"I can't wait for you to hear it. I also can't wait to see you too." I reply shyly.
"Bye Jude" Tommy states.
"Bye Tommy" I reply before hanging up.
I walk into my cabin and notice Alice walking out of the bathroom. I walk over to her briskly and engulf her into a giant hug, surprising her.
"Thank you" I say into her shoulder.
"I knew he would help." Alice replies simply.