Hi again. I have to start by saying a big YAY--this story just hit 100 REVIEWS! You guys are amazing, your feedback has been awesome! It really keeps me going and I appreciate it so much, you have no idea. Erin-aka-Pip: Nope, Josh isn't a real person, totally made up, though I picture him to be like Chad Michael Murray or someone from the WB.

So here's our next part, at the awards. You'll be happy to know that I decided this week to stick with my original concept for this story. There's still drama but not as many bumps and burns as I was considering adding. I like seeing Jude happy, on the show and in my story. So with that in mind, here's our next part. BTW, I don't own any part of the show, just my own crazy ideas...ENJOY!

The limo pulled up to the middle of the red carpet and the driver opened the door as Jude said a quick goodbye to Josh and slid out. The moment she stepped out, she was blinded by cameras and deafened by people calling out her name. She smiled nervously, as EJ came running up to her from the limo behind and brought her into the center of the carpet. Jude smiled as best as she could and held a few of the poses that EJ had shown her earlier. After a few moments, EJ ushered her over to the first interviewer in line. They asked her a few questions about her nominations, her album, and what she was wearing, and then took a few photos, before EJ came to take her to the next interviewer.

By the time she got to the end of the line, she was exhausted. She had shaken so many hands and smiled for so many photos, she felt as though she was a broken record. She relaxed at the entrance to the concert hall, rubbing her jaw from smiling so much. EJ hastily led her to her seat, down the aisle near the front. She sat down on the end of the aisle, next to Sadie, with her mom and Steven after that in the row. Tommy sat immediately behind her next to Kwest and EJ squeezed in between Georgia and Darius further inside. Jude felt her nerves kick in again as she explained to Sadie what it was like to answer the same four questions fifty times.

As the ceremony began, the lights dimmed and she felt Tommy lean forward and grab her hand in the aisle. She turned back and smiled nervously at him. After a brief musical performance, the awards began. The first few revolved around bands or groups, so Jude relaxed and cheered for some of her favorites. Jude clenched her hands together as the award for Best Male Performer was given out. She nervously applauded and glanced at Sadie anxiously, knowing the next award was one of her nominations.

As the two celebrity announcers walked up to the podium, Jude felt her heart race. They quickly announced each of the nominees as Jude felt lights and cameras shine directly on her. She smiled awkwardly and gave a quick wave into the camera, her feeling of nausea growing stronger.

The envelope opened….

Her heart pounded inside her chest as Sadie grabbed her hand in anticipation…

The announcer went to speak….

"And the winner of the Best Female Performer goes to…"

She closed her eyes nervously and breathed in deeply, listening to the envelope opening on stage. Finally, she heard the announcer take a deep breath and shout,

"Eden Taylor!"

Jude lost her breath and opened her eyes. She turned to stare blankly at Sadie.

"Eden?" she asked disbelievingly, loud enough so that everyone around her could hear.

"Guess so…" Sadie replied, shocked herself. "I'm really sorry, Jude."

Jude shook her head, trying to come to terms with losing to her nemesis. "No, no, I'm okay with losing, but to Eden? That's just…so…"

"Wrong," Tommy finished from behind her, watching Eden approach the podium in an overly skimpy red dress. It was clearly at least two sizes too small on her and was set off by her bright red lipstick.

"Yeah…" Jude responded distantly.

"Don't worry, Jude. You've got one more," Darius reminded her as Eden giggled into the microphone and began her acceptance speech. She thanked her hairstylist, manicurist, publicity reps, record company, and finally, her dog, Fluffy.

Jude turned around and looked skeptically at Tommy. "Did she just thank her dog?"

Tommy laughed, as did Kwest and Sadie. "Yup. Kind of sad, isn't it."

"I'll say," Jude replied, turning back around. "She didn't thank her family or friends."

"That's because her family and friends disowned her once she chose that dress," Sadie whispered with a smile. Jude laughed and suddenly felt a wave of ease wash over her. She had gotten through one award and even though it wasn't hers, she felt strong enough to be able to accept defeat. Even to Eden Taylor.

The awards continued, handing out song and album awards. Then came her other nomination—the one she wanted so badly: Best New Artist. Many famous, talented musicians had previously won this award, including Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette.

She took a deep breath as the announcers approached the podium again. The presenters reminded the audience that this award was one of the most coveted within the industry, that it represented an artist who not only has shown incredible talent and ability within the past year but is also someone believed to embody the future of the music industry.

Jude felt her heart rate increase once more as Sadie grabbed her hand. She mouthed to her, "good luck," as the announcers finished their speech and went through the list of nominees. Jude nervously smiled again into the camera, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

The sound of silence echoed throughout the auditorium as the envelope was opened. Everyone sat on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the winner. Jude listened to the quick breaths of Sadie to her right and felt her mom's hand fall on top of hers and Sadie's.

She looked down at her feet, at her brown shoes and waited…

"And the winner…"

Jude closed her eyes once more, feeling Tommy's hand grab her other hand and squeeze tightly.

"…is…"

She wanted to get it over with as her hands shook and the announcer continued slowly.

"JUDE HARRISON!"

Jude took a deep breath and looked at Sadie in disbelief, as she heard EJ shriek from behind her.

"Me?" she asked quietly.

Sadie smiled widely and nodded quickly, pulling her in for a hug. "CONGRATULATIONS!"

Jude looked around her in shock, feeling Sadie pull her up out of her seat. Her mom rushed over to her and enveloped her in a suffocating hug. Jude smiled in astonishment, reality starting to sink in, and turned behind her to be attacked by everyone from G-Major. EJ and Georgia were jumping up and down for her as Tommy swept her up into an eager hug, lifting her off her feet. She smiled and laughed nervously, grabbing her bag and pulling out a piece of paper on which she had hastily written a few names for her speech.

Sadie pushed her down the aisle, towards the stage, as everyone in the hall stood up and applauded for her. She looked around in shock, rubbing her forehead and gaping at the crowd. She uneasily walked up the steps towards the podium, her legs feeling like jelly. She got to the top as the announcers handed her the award, a heavy gold statue. They gave her quick kisses on the cheek and then backed up, allowing her to take her position at the microphone.

She swallowed and looked around the room, at all of the people yelling and applauding in her honor. The lights shone brightly into her eyes, making the audience appear as shadows but she squinted her eyes to better distinguish the faces before her. The moment felt surreal—as though she was watching herself from above. She smiled widely and laughed into the microphone, stunned at the audience response, and cleared her throat to begin her thank you's.