Before you start reading, let me warn you: this is my first fan-fiction, ever. I know a gazillion people write that in their author's note, so now it's a gazillion and one.

Anyway, I'm trying to make this a realistic story and it's my version of what is going to happen in the second season of Instant Star (which airs in February which is total BS!). I have absolutely no clue what's going to happen, but several ideas are floating around in my head that I plan to use if people like this story.

Long author's notes can be very entertaining and fun to read, but unfortunately I don't think mine is so I'll just shut up and let you get on with the story. Oh, if the formatting or something turns out really funny I'll try and do it again but I'm not quite sure how it works on this site so I guess we'll see...

Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star, the characters, any songs that are used, blah, blah blah...but I am required to dream of owning Little Tommy Q...(sigh)

Chapter 1: The End

I can't have anything I want
They say I'm just too young
But it's not my fault
I'll find my own way home if I gotta
I'll make it all alone

24 hours
24 hours
24 hours
24 hours
24 hours

Her breathing was heavy, like it usually was at the end of a performance, but Jude barely noticed it as she gazed out at the frenzied crowd, jumping and screaming and ultimately looking happy. From the wattage of the smile on her face you would guess that she was happier than all of her fans put together, which is exactly how she wanted to look. Because it was the opposite of how she actually felt.

It was finally over. Her first tour for her first album, and she just finished singing the last song of the last performance. Hard to believe that the six weeks had already flown by and it was time to go home. Home. At least to what was left of it, and Jude really didn't want to find out how what that was.

That was the main reason why she was felt so down. Of course Jude was sad that her first tour was over, but she didn't want to go home and face anything or anyone. There are too many people at home that are too close to her and care too much. That's what was great about the tour--she didn't know anyone and they didn't know her. Of course they knew her, but they only knew the top, outermost layer of Jude Harrison. It wasn't hard to fool people. Put on a fake smile, give them a hollow laugh and they're content that you're ok. She lost count of how many times she had done that.

24 hours. In that amount of time Jude would be back in Vancouver, back in the studio, back home. She didn't want the tour to end. She couldn't believe it was over. So she decided that it's not.

By now SME had come forward and stood next to Jude, preparing to take their final bow. They joined hands and simultaneously leaned forward to the thunderous applause. After a few seconds they straightened up and released each other's hands. The band members backed away and let Jude take a solo bow. When she finished, the expected encore applause continued. Finally the band began to retreat and head offstage, but Jude remained where she was, in the middle of the stage with three very hot spotlights on her form.

Speed noticed that Jude wasn't moving and began hissing her name, trying to get her attention. Without turning around, she discreetly waved him away and stayed right where she was. By now the other band members were paying attention and sent questioning looks to Speed, but he just shrugged and continued walking off of the stage.

Jude shifted her guitar around so that she could speak into the microphone without banging her guitar against the stand. The crowd realized her intention and began to quiet down. Once it was quiet enough to hear a pen drop, Jude began to speak.

"Brooklyn! Wow, you guys are amazing! Thank you so much for buying my album, coming to my concert, supporting me, letting me come here, and, most importantly, for liking my music! I would be nothing without you guys and I owe you all so much!" Loud cheers erupted from the crowd and Jude just laughed and smiled. "As you all know, this is the last stop on my tour and 24 hours was supposed to be my last song, so technically my tour is over now." At this a strong chorus of boos poured forth and Jude was forced to laugh again. "Yeah, I know, that's exactly how I feel. Did I mention already how much I love Brooklyn? Anyway, I've decided to treat you guys to one more song before-" This time Jude was nearly blown off stage by her audience's enthusiastic response. "Ok, I'm guessing you're all anxious for me to shut up and sing, so I'll try to be brief. The song I'm going to be singing for you guys is completely raw and unrefined. I wrote it towards the beginning of my tour and not a single soul has ever heard it before. I guess it's the first rough draft, so bear with me because I don't know how it's going to turn out. Oh, I don't know the title yet, either."

With that Jude began playing her guitar. Even before the song began the only things Jude was aware of were the notes coming from her guitar and the words that would soon spill from her mouth. There was no audience, just her and her guitar.

What's she got that I don't have
Does she fill those spaces that I've left you
When you wake up every night
Does the scent of regret ever haunt you
Put this under your skin
I am me and I won't change for anyone
Me and I won't change for anyone
For anyone like you
Does the weight of consequence
Drag you down until it pulls you under
Does she lend an eager hand to save you
From the future of being with her
Are you with her?
Put this under her skin
I am me and I won't change for anyone
Me and I won't change for anyone
For anyone like you
Why would I change
Put this under your skin

The last note reverberated through the air, the only sound in the stadium. Jude let her hands fall to her sides and looked up. I wonder what they all thought of it? Did they like it or think it totally sucked? You know what, though? I don't really care either way. Whether they do or don't doesn't matter all that much.

Before Jude could finish listening to the voice in her head the crowd suddenly came to life. They roared, screamed, clapped, jumped, and acted like seniors on their last day of high school. Jude let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. She leaned forward once more, her mouth barely an inch from the microphone now.

"Thanks, Brooklyn."

Flushed, giddy, and surprisingly numb, Jude hurried backstage, wondering what people were going to make of her little addition to her final performance. She began searching for the band when a familiar flash of Barbie blonde hair caught her eye.

"Sadie!"

Jude sprinted across the floor, dodging wires, equipment, and people before flinging her arms around her older sister.

"Jude, I can't breathe-" Sadie joked as she squeezed her little sister back.

"Holy crap, Sades, what are you doing here? Aren't you still supposed to be in Italy? Ohmigod, how was it? What did you see? Where did you go? Did you get me anything? Come on, I'm dying to hear about it!" Jude raved in one breath.

"Breathe, little rock star. There will be plenty of time for that, trust me, because I want to hear all about your..." Sadie trailed off as she and Jude finally separated from their hug. Sadie took a step back and studied Jude.

"What? Do I have a Mount Everest zit on my face or something?" Jude slowly moved her hand in front of Sadie's riveted green eyes. "Sadie?"

After what seemed like an eternity, Sadie snapped back to reality. "You're...BLONDE!" she blurted.

Jude just laughed. "How nice of you to notice, sis. I have been for a while, actually. I still kind of miss my red hair, but I really like how it looks now."

Sadie continued to gape at the drastic change in Jude's appearance. "But, why? Why did you change your hair?" Sadie paused for a moment, then a playful smirk spread across her face. "Oh, I get it. You're tired of being chased by the fashion police and want to adopt my style and fashion sense. Very sneaky, Jude! But I'm flattered, really, that you want tolook like me."

"You wish! If you really want to know, I just felt like it was time for a change, and, well...this is what happened. So, do you like it?" Jude questionedtentatively.

Sadie continued to take in Jude's new image, purposely tormenting her sister by making her wait for her answer. "Well, it's different, there's no doubt about that, but, honestly..." Sadie paused for effect and received an exasperated glare from Jude. "Ok, ok, I love it! Happy now?"

"Actually, yes. Coming from you, Sadie, that means a lot. It's good to know I finally received your stamp of approval."

"Just don't let that compliment get to your head. My hair will always be better than yours no matter what color it is. Now that you know what I think, let's get the opinion of the weaker sex. " Sadie turned her head to someone standing next to her. "What do you think of Jude's new hair, Tommy?"

I meant for this chapter to be longer than it is but I'll save the excuses and just say it ends where it ends. I want to know if people think the length is too short, too long, just right? Please R&R because I'm dying to know what people think of it! How often I update depends on the reactions and feedback I get as well as if I have time. But if you do like it, updates will probably be slow anyways because finals are next week and teachers are going crazy!

3 L