AN: Thanks for your reviews! This one's for you (actually, they all are). I don't know if nightclubs have private rooms, since I've never been to one, but for this chapter, just pretend like they do.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters on Instant Star.

Chapter 48:

Once we were outside, Jude instantly turned on me. "Why did you let Darius kick me out?" She shoved me and stalked away.

I went after her, grabbing her arm. "Jude, you don't know Darius like I do. Besides, if we did anything, he'd just put Liam on us."

Jude shuddered slightly, then pretended as if she hadn't. "Yeah, Liam's just Darius' pet. He tries to show everyone up, but he's all talk." Quickly changing the subject, she added, "Where will I practice now? I can't come to the studio, so…"

As if on cue, her cell went off. Jude picked it up, not looking at the number, and said, "Hello?"

I saw Jude's face go pale, then she hung up without another word.

"Jude, what is it? What's wrong?" I knew something was wrong, but Jude just shook her head. "Nothing, it's nothing." She gave me a reassuring glance, silently willing me to drop the subject, and she suddenly said, "I need to get out of my house, it's too stressful right now."

"OK, so where do you want to stay? Kat's?" I suggested.

"No, Kat and Jamie are out of town. And anyway, I meant I want a place of my own, somewhere where I can just be myself, you know? Where I can play whenever I want and not have the neighbors complaining?" From the look on her face, she needed it desperately.

"I'll start looking around, but in the meantime…" An idea popped into my head, and I knew Jude would definitely go for it.

"What? Come on, tell me," Jude practically begged, as I smiled at her. I loved keeping her in suspense.

"I know this place…" I started, but then decided against it. "Just trust me on this, come on." I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the Viper.

The whole way there, Jude was trying to get me to tell her where we were going, but I kept my mouth closed.

When we got there, we went in, where it was pretty quiet. For now, at least.

I had brought Jude to the hottest nightclub in town, and I'd arranged with the owner (a longtime friend) for Jude to perform a song or two, depending on the crowd. If I remembered correctly, Jude would bring down the house. And she definitely did, once the place was packed.

After her set was over, Jude spotted me over at the bar. I had water this time, so I could keep an eye on Jude. I knew how guys would always try something with the singers, so I kept sober just in case. Jude wove her way around the crowd, then said, "So, how was I?"

I looked at Jude, and suddenly realized how fast she'd matured. "You were amazing, girl. Just like always."

I saw Kwest and Sadie sitting on the other side, and I asked Jude if she wanted to go and join them.

"Sure," Jude said. I searched for any signs of exasperation on Jude's face, but didn't see any. So we went over there and Kwest pulled up a couple seats.

"Jude, you sounded great," Kwest remarked, stealing a glance at Sadie to see how she'd react to being left out of the spotlight once again.

"Yeah, you really were," Sadie said. This time, she didn't sound jealous or bitter.

"Uh, Sadie? Can I talk to you for a second?" I wanted to check to see how she was doing. I hadn't talked to her much after I found out she'd hooked up with Kwest.

"Yeah. Jude?" Sadie asked. Jude just nodded, and we went to a private room where we could talk.

"So, Sadie. How's it going?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"It's great. Kwest, he's great," Sadie gushed. I interrupted.

"Look, Sadie, I know I haven't gotten to talk to you much after you hooked up with Kwest, and I hope you're not mad at me anymore about hurting you the way I did," I began, but Sadie stopped me.

"Tommy, it's OK. I know you love Jude. Even if you don't mention it, it's as clear as day. Anyone can see that." Sadie insisted.

"Yeah, anyone but Jude," I muttered under my breath. Out loud, I said, "Thanks Sadie, it means a lot to me that you're OK with me and Jude." I was still thinking about Jude's phone call earlier, and decided to ask Sadie about it. "Sadie, is everything OK at home?"

"Yeah, why?" Sadie looked confused.

"No reason, just wondering." I said quickly, hoping I sounded convincing. "Wanna go back?" Now that everything was settled once and for all, I could finally relax.

"Sure," Sadie agreed. We walked back to the table, where Kwest was sitting.

"Kwest, man, where's Jude?" I didn't want to let her out of my sight.

"I don't know, but she went over there," Kwest said, pointing.

"What for?" I knew how drunk guys could be, and I didn't want Jude to experience it firsthand.

"Whoa, chill man, Jude's a big girl, she can take care of herself," Kwest said, pulling Sadie into his lap and wrapping his arms around her.

"Don't I know it," I mumbled, leaving Sadie and Kwest to continue holding each other.

I walked over to where Kwest had directed, and saw that it was a private room. I knocked on the door, where I heard faint voices, and someone called out, "We're busy." The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but I didn't think twice about it. Then I heardsomeone moan, andanother person tried to keep it quiet. Was it Jude? I had to know for sure. I tried the door, and found it was locked. "Jude?" I called out. I heard something, then, "There's no Jude here. Try the next one down." I went over to Kwest, and said, "Kwest, are you sure Jude's in there?"

Kwest had been talking to Sadie, and stopped when I interrupted. "Yeah, she went in with someone a few minutes ago. I didn't see who. Why? What's wrong?"

"The door's locked, and someone keeps telling me Jude's not in there."

I didn't bother, but went up to the owner. "I need a key to the room over there," I said, a little breathlessly. My friend didn't ask, but followed, flipping through his keys. Kwest also followed, along with Sadie.

He put the keys in, turned the knob, and when the door opened, I couldn't believe what I saw.

AN: Should I continue?