Disclaimer: I'm like this close to owning it, but you know how the saying goes: Close, but no cigar. Sorry!
It took about 20 minutes to get from the ER room I had been put in to the bus. Crutches are not all they're cracked up to be, let me tell you. When we were safely in the bus and sitting down, I breathed out a sigh of relief.
"That was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life!" I complained, bringing my leg up onto the couch. Tommy lifted my leg gingerly and sat down next to me, putting my foot in his lap.
"Yeah, even harder than performing that last song on Instant Star?"
"Hell yeah. This requires physical strength. That was only a mental thing!"
"A mental thing you were totally nervous about at the time." I knew he was right, but I just smirked at him and punched his arm.
"Shut up." Was all I could think to say to him.
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We got to the hotel, and it was there that I was informed that I had 10 minutes to freshen up before Leno. I felt proud because I didn't even take the entire 10 minutes. I just nabbed a pillow and I was ready to roll. That's what hair and make up was for, right?
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Those few hours before Leno were some of the most nerve racking hours of my life. Hair and make up was finalized pretty quick, and I suddenly had a lot of time to phyche myself out. What if I screw up the lyrics? What if I become the laughing stock of the show? What if I do so badly, my recording contract gets pulled? I was on a roll, thinking of all the stupidest things I could ever think of. Finally Tommy found me, pacing the left wing.
"Jude, they're almost ready for you. You gonna do this fine?"
"Uh, yeah. But, uh, Tommy, could you promise me something?" he nodded. "Even if I do super doper REALLY bad, can I keep my record deal?" He busted out laughing.
"Yeah, I promise Jude, you'll get to keep your recording contract." He grabbed my crutches and helped me limp out to the side of the stage. I positioned my crutches and got ready to walk.
"Now please welcome our next guest, Canada's first Instant Star and America's next sweetheart, Jude Harrison!" The crowd applauded and I smiled. Tommy gave my hand a quick good luck squeeze and then I was hit by light. Lots of light. I smiled at the cameras and made my way to the couch. I sat down in as dignified manner that I could, considering my situation. The applause died down and Leno took a breath. "So Jude, what happened? Did you fall off the steam engine?" he winked at me.
"Yeah actually. I was riding the Subway and I stepped off and slipped. No biggie, just a sprain." A lie seems to work better in some situations.
"Ahhh well… how are you enjoying your time here in New York? Seeing all new sights, or just revisiting some old ones?" the audience gave a few appreciative chuckles.
"All new ones Jay, thanks for asking. It's a beautiful city." Like hell I was going to give into his jokes.
"Yeah, sure is." He paused. "Okay, I'm just gonna cut to the chase; what's going on with you and Little Tommy Q?" The screen flashed a close up of the tabloid cover.
"What's going on with me and Tommy." I muttered. "Nothing's going on Jay. Yesterday, I was feeling really homesick and missing my boyfriend, Jamie, back in BC, and I let the situation take control. It was strictly hormonal, and I was thinking about Jamie the whole time." There, another total lie, but no one needed to know that. Jay nodded and we kept on with the interview for another three or four minutes. Finally he announced the commercial break and I got my make up retouched. Georgia came over to me.
"Great cover, couldn't have done it better myself."
"Yeah." I felt horrible for having to lie, but if I wanted to keep Tommy around. We would have to keep playing this charade. I got positioned with my mic and smiled pretty when Jay announced my song. I was going to be singing That Girl.
You said you didn't need me
But you did
You said you didn't want me
But you do
It's kinda like a comedy
When first you kiss me
Then you say we're through
I say you got some issues
Yeah you do
Some things you gotta work through
Well you do
It's sorta like a talk show
No wait a freak show
Where the freak is you
I walked back to the drummer, then to the very front of the stage, getting up close to the audience and touching a few hands.
Funny how it works out
With your big mouth
You'll always get it back
You thought you had me worked out
You're no deep
Mr. I screw-about
You're still a creep
At best you coulda confessed
That you're a big mess
And that you're so damn weak
I wanted to be singing that last line to Tommy, but it didn't apply to him this time; it applied to me. It was then and there that I knew I would have to stop everything with Tommy.
It would kill Jamie if I didn't.
Author's note: Sorry for the long wait between my update… I had a ton of school, and I didn't have time until like just now to type the story onto my computer. Thanks to everyone who reviewed… cookies to ya'll! Also, tell me what you think will happen in the story… I'm really interested to know where you think this is going to end up. Let me know, and I'll talk to everyone later!
tazitz