Jude fell asleep about 2 hours later. It took her a long time to finally close her eyes and let everything go. But once she did, not even a tornado siren could wake her. She dreamed of everything and anything. Tommy...the plans they had made...there future life together...but then, then her face had to pop up. All Jude knew about the woman was that she lived in the states. Oh, and that she had ruined her life. In a way though it wasn't just her fault. Tommy could have stopped it. A simple "No" would have worked. Didn't he ever read the shirts or bumper stickers that teens these days advertised? "Just Say No" is what he needed to learn.
The sudden glimpse of her face was the one thing that could wake Jude up out of such a deep sleep. She bolted upright in her bed as quick as a cat would pounce on it's pray. It's been two years. He's not coming back for you she kept telling herself. As hard as it was for her to admit, she still loved him. Always would. He was like a disease that there was no cure for. And it aggravated the crap out of her!
Jude swung her legs over her bed and stumbled as she stood. She made her way to the bathroom and brushed her teeth, hair and washed her face. Her morning ritual. After she got dressed, got her caffeine fix for the day and picked up her apartment to where it was at least decent, she made her way out the door and to G-Major.
"Morning kid" Darius greeted her. Ever since Georgia and Darius had become a couple, he had took it upon himself to be Jude's mentor. That didn't mean that he controlled everything, although he would have liked it that way, it just ment he was more of a "helper". Jude yawned and plopped down in the nearest chair. "Morning..." she said. "You better not be lookin tired, you gotta album to finish still" Darius pointed out. She knew he was right. Her album was set to release in three months and it wasn't even near finished. Jude blew air out of her mouth causing her lips to move and vibrate. "I don't feel like doing anything..." she grumbled.
Darius gave her "the look". "Well, laying around all day isn't an option. Time is money! And we have no time to spare!" he yelled. "Ok..ok, just stop yelling. My head already hurts" she said, rubbing her forehead with the heel oh her hand. "Kwest is in studio A. Get to work kid" he said, then went to talk to Georgia about the current status of G-Majors publicity. Jude heard the phrases "Were going down" and "We need to fix this" before she left them.
Ever since Tommy left, Studio A had this strange and almost uncomfortable feel to it. It was still the same place she made and recorded her music but it seemed different. It was a sad place for Jude. "How's it going?" Kwest asked, as Jude entered the studio. The place sent chills all over her body. Sometimes she swore she could smell Tommy's scent. That it lingered there and never left. Everytime she smelt it, it made her question her sanity.
"I'm dealing..." she replied slowly. Kwest studied her. "Good to hear...how was your day yesterday?" he asked cautiously. Jude's shoulders drooped and her head fell. "Do you have to make it so obvious!" she lashed out. "Whoa! Whoa! I'm just talking to you...not questioning you" he replied, looking scared and at unease. "Right!" Jude exclaimed. "Let's just all treat Jude like a wounded animal because her marriage didn't work out and she couldn't handle rejection! I'm a 20 year old woman! I know how to handle myself!" she yelled. Kwest noticed the colors that ran underneath her eyes, blues and purples. It had almost looked like she had been beat up. But he knew it was from lack of sleep. He noticed the paleness of her skin and the look of exhaustion and hatred in her eyes.
What happened to you Jude? he mentally asked himself. "I never said you didn't know how to handle yourself. What Tom did was irresponsible. I thought I knew my best friend better...guess not. He was a jerk Jude. Let it go..." he said, patting her shoulder in comfort. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't cry! "Thanks Kwest..." she responded in barely a whisper.
"Look, go home. Sleep and get rested then come back tomorrow. We can finish this later" he said, pointing to the sound booth. Jude smiled weakly at him. He was such a good friend to her. She was so lucky to have him in her life. "Not an option. Darius and Georgia are pushing for this album. We have to get to work" she said. Jude placed her feet up on the desk and leaned back further in her chair.
"I'll deal with the happy couple. You need some serious R&R" he said humorously. Jude raised her eyebrows slightly. "You sure you have that authority?" she asked. Kwest's eyes grew larger. "Of course I have that authority girl!" he exclaimed. Judes smile disappeared just like a slap in the face. He always used to call her girl. She was his girl. That nickname was the one he gave her. Nobody could call her that but him. "Don't call me girl" she said sternly. Kwest mentally kicked himself. "Oh sorry..." he said. Jude sighed. "Thanks for everything Kwest. I think I will take you up on that offer of R&R" she exhaled. "Good to hear, now go" he directed her out the door. Jude stopped in the doorway. "I really mean it Kwest. Thank you" she said, then kissed his cheek and snuck her way out of G-Major before Georgia or Darius saw her.
Kwest shook his head then pulled out his cell phone. He closed the door for privacy and punched in some numbers. "Tom Quincy" the voice on the other end answered. "Speak" he finished. Kwest laughed at his arrogance. "Hey man..." he said. Tommy was a little surprised to be hearing from Kwest. The last time they talked was...well...after the whole Jude thing.
"Uhh...hey...how's it been?" he asked, not knowing what else to say. "Goin pretty good, you?" Kwest asked. Tommy held the phone away from his ear for a second. The truth was he was miserable. There wasn't a day that went by when he didn't think of her. He knew what a complete idiot he was. He couldn't take it back or change what happened. He didn't even know if he could fix it! He was to scared to even try. "Hello? Tom?" Kwest asked. Tommy held the phone back up to his ear. "I've been fine" he lied. Even though Kwest hadn't been face to face with his closest friend in a while, he knew when Tom Quincy was lieing. "Man, do you even know how bad you screwed her up!" Kwest exclaimed. Tommy knew this was coming. He was going to be interrogated by everyone! Why'd you divorce her? Why'd you do what you did? Did you love her at all? To hell with all those questions! He didn't need to prove anything!
"Did ya call to yell at me about my mistakes or just to make me feel like an asshole?" Tommy asked, getting mad. "Let's think about that! You are an asshole!" Kwest shot back. Tommy laughed, "Great! Now my own friend is dissing me!" he yelled. "When ya make a mistake as big as the one you did Tom, it kinda sticks with you! And everyone else who was involved in it!" Kwest shouted. "Look, I don't need this! Jude'll be fine! She's a strong girl" Tommy shouted back.
"Dude, you don't even know her at all" Kwest said then hung up his phone. Tommy closed his phone and was in shock that someone had actually just hung up on him. I should go to her he thought. I should tell her everything I have wanted to tell her for the past 2 years. I should stop being such stupid, selfish coward and go see her! "I can't do it" he said out loud, then shoved his phone in his pocket and went back to what he was doing before he received that interrogating phone call.
Jude entered her empty apartment and threw her keys down on the nearest counter. She sauntered over to her answering machine and saw the number 3 blinking. After pressing the "play" button, Sadie's voice immediately filled the room. "Jude, Juuuuude...Ok, well I guess your not there. Just thought I'd call to see how you were. Or rather how you've been. Michael is doing great! He got a promotion at the law firm so were rolling in the dough! Anyway, call me back a.s.a.p.! We need to get together sometime. I miss you...Love ya sis!" Jude laughed and hit delete. Sadie's current boyfriend was some hot shot attorney that was about 4 years older than her. Michael made Sadie happy though, so to Jude that was enough. As long as her sister was happy, there was no controversy.
The next message was from someone Jude knew was going to call. "Jude! You thought you could slip by! I saw you leaving the studio today! With an unfinished album still awaiting you! It's time to buckle down! Leave your personal problems at the door! We need that album finished!" Darius yelled through her machine. Jude pressed delete automatically. She didn't need his negative pressure hounding her.
The last message was from a person Jude never thought she would hear from again! I think we all know who that was. "Uhh...Jude...It's Tom. I---" then his sweet voice that she had longed to hear for months stopped. The message ended. Just like that. She pressed play over and over again. Relistening to his message to see if maybe just maybe something would be different each time. It wasn't. What was she supposed to do? Call him! What if he didn't mean to call her! What if he told her it was a mistake again... What if he yelled at her and hung up on her! She couldn't take that. How was she supposed to call and physically talk to the man she loved and lost?