A/N: I hope you will bear with me—I have a few things to say before you read this chapter.
First, I need to send all of you a HUGE thank you. I was absolutely floored at the responses I got from my plea to get my story off The N's site. So many of you offered to help and posted supportive messages, I can't tell you how much it means to me. And I am happy to report that the story has been removed. If this ever happens to any of you, let me know and I will gladly send threatening notes on your behalf (provided it won't get me in jail!). Thank you so much for all of your support—I'm grateful to have such an encouraging, amazing audience here. Okay, now for the next chapter…
Please read the following before proceeding:
1. Congratulations! For all of you who have been reading this story from the beginning, I am thrilled to inform you that you've hit the peak, the story climax, the height of our blackout drama! Not that it goes downhill from here, but you've officially hit the motherload!
2. If you came in late to the story and have not read all of the previous chapters, this chapter will not make any sense. For those who have been sticking with me, I suggest taking a minute to brush up on Chapter 17. There will be mentions to things that happened during that chapter and it might be helpful if those events are fresh in your mind.
3. This is the longest chapter to date. I considered splitting it up but ultimately, I think it's better left together. I hope you agree.
I also wanted to mention Drew. I don't think Drew is a bad guy, he's just frustrated. Jude is using him, whether she admits it or not. I partly feel bad for him, but it's like Sadie says in the previews for S2, don't get in between Tommy and Jude--they always choose each other (love that!).
I'm done rambling so please sit back and enjoy the next exciting installment. This is another chapter that makes me giddy from reading it, so I hope you like it too.
I do not own Instant Star, but hey, did you know that I do own this story? lol
They all stood there stunned at Jude's entrance, as she moved next to Tommy and across from Ryan and Drew.
"I get around? Like you're one to talk," she spat angrily at Ryan.
Sadie emerged from the onlookers and faced Ryan.
"What is she talking about Ryan?"
Ryan looked at Sadie. "I'm just repeating what I heard."
"From who?" Sadie asked.
"People here are saying that she gets around."
"And you believe them? And what does she mean by 'you're one to talk?'" Sadie demanded.
"Who knows? Sadie, she's just angry that I'm saying what everyone else is thinking," he lied.
Jude cut in. "I'm sorry, but didn't you say that you know 'firsthand?' Why firsthand, Ryan? It's not like you and I ever hooked up."
Ryan's eyes flashed with rage at Jude's question as Mrs. Harrison came running down the stairs in a huff. "What is all this yelling?" she said, looking around her living room. "Jude? Sadie, what's going on?"
They ignored Mrs. Harrison's presence as Jude pressed on.
"Tell her, Ryan. Tell her how you know."
Tommy, who saw Ryan's fury and noticed Mrs. Harrison standing behind him, put his hand on Jude's arm. "Jude…maybe you shouldn't…"
"No, Tommy, I have to. He can't make a comment like that and get away with it," she replied. Tommy subtly motioned towards her mom behind them, but Jude just shrugged and turned back towards Ryan.
"Ryan, how do you know? Would someone please tell me what's going on here?" Sadie yelled, flailing her arms in frustration.
Everyone was silent, watching Ryan glare irritably between Jude and Tommy. Ryan wanted to retreat, fearful that this conversation would reveal his own secrets.
Out of nowhere came a small yell from the back of the living room,
"Jude's hooking up with Tommy!"
They all gasped and looked towards the voice to see Kristen standing there innocently. Ryan looked at her and immediately squealed, "NO!"
Her mother's voice shot out in a shocked scream, "JUDE!"
Jude turned to look at her mom, whose eyes were wide with one hand on her chest in disbelief.
"Mom, that statement needs to be changed to the past tense," Jude clarified. "'Jude hooked up with Tommy.' Past tense! As in, NO LONGER! As in, it happened like ONCE and now it's DONE!"
Her mother stood there astonished. Jude looked at Tommy, who was also taken aback by the exchange. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't mad, she had made it clear that it was a one-time (okay, maybe more than one-time) thing, and Ryan couldn't disagree since his own secrets were on the line. So no one's lives or careers had been ruined. His only consequence might be a lecture from her mom, and he could justify it as a brief of lack of judgment or stumbling into Jude in the dark.
So he did the one thing that would reassure her. He faintly smiled and beckoned for her to make the next move, saying "Go right ahead."
She smiled back, knowing exactly what he was referring to. She eyed Ryan, who was visibly nervous, awaiting her response.
Jude walked towards Sadie and opened her mouth to tell her about her boyfriend's infidelity, about how she was dating the biggest jerk to ever walk the planet, but to her surprise, nothing came out. Instead, guilt overwhelmed her, looking at Sadie's confused expression, and knowing that what she was about to say was going to crush her sister who had helped her so much.
But Sadie had to know. It wasn't fair. She deserved better.
So instead, Jude walked up to Ryan and quietly said,
"You're going to tell her."
"What?"
"You heard me. She deserves to know, but not from me. You're the one who betrayed her trust. It's your responsibility to tell her."
She then stepped back next to Tommy, tears welling up in her eyes. Tommy was stunned, almost impressed at her decision. As much as she wanted to hurt Ryan, her loyalty ultimately lied with Sadie. He smiled to himself, feeling proud for some reason, and somewhere deep inside, feeling himself melt with her.
Ryan cleared his throat and looked at Sadie. "Ryan?" she asked.
He shamefully took her hands, "Sadie, I have to tell you something, but I first want you to know that I love you."
She got nervous, not liking his start. "Okay…"
He looked down and mumbled, "I…I…" He glanced over at Jude, pleading to her with his eyes, but she, through tears, just nodded her head, motioning him to continue. He took a deep breath and began again, "I…kind of…have been hooking up with somebody else."
Sadie's eyes bulged. "What?"
"I've been with somebody else…but just here, the last couple of days. I'm so sorry," he begged.
"Here? With who?"
He grew silent, not wanting to admit his accomplice. But the small voice reappeared in the back of the living room. "He was with me," Kristen admitted, stepping forward.
"WHAT? You cheated on me with my best friend?" she cried, tears falling. "How could you?"
"I'm really sorry, you have no idea how sorry I am," he pleaded.
"You're sorry? That's it? You cheat on me with my best friend and that's all you can say?" she yelled. "Well, I'm sorry too. Sorry I ever trusted either one of you," she said through tears. She then charged out of the living room, ran up the stairs, and slammed her bedroom door. Ryan took off after her, screaming her name. They could hear as he pounded on her door to let him in.
They all stood speechless at the scene they had witnessed. Naturally, everyone looked towards Jude who was still in tears from her sister's reaction. Tommy wanted to hug her, but maintained his distance, knowing that her mom was watching them intently.
Noticing all eyes on her, Jude suddenly hollered, "Anyone else have something to share? Any other secrets you'd like everyone to know? Because now's the time!" She resumed crying and wiped her eyes when she heard someone clear their throat. She looked around at who was trying to get her attention and saw Jamie step forward.
"Jude? I have to tell you something."
Jude looked perplexed. "Jamie, that was a rhetorical question! I didn't expect anyone to actually have something else to say!"
"No, Jude, it's not what you think…or maybe it is but…I'm not cheating on anyone, but I am, sort of, with your best friend."
"What? But Jamie, you are my best friend," Jude responded, totally clueless.
"No, Jude, your…other… best friend," Jamie said, motioning towards Kat behind him, who smiled nervously.
Jude opened her mouth in shock, disbelieving that this secret was kept from her.
"You have got to be kidding me…"
"I wish I were," Jamie replied quietly.
Her mother, who had finally recovered from the shock of Jude and Tommy's admission, stepped forward, grabbing Jude's arms from behind.
"Okay, I think we've had enough for the day. Jude—kitchen. NOW," she instructed forcefully, pushing her daughter away.
Watching Mrs. Harrison steer her daughter towards the kitchen, the group stood there looking totally and completely stunned. No one even knew where to begin.
After a few moments of silence, Kwest mumbled, "Am I the only one in this house not getting any action?"
Tommy shook his head at him and walked into the dining room, as the rest of the group slowly dispersed throughout the house.
Okay, everyone breathe with me...whew...hope you enjoyed!