Finally! I've been trying to post this chapter for the past few days and kept getting an error message. I don't want you all to think I've been slacking, but I was having some serious issues.
Anyway, hello! I've decided to stick to my original direction for this part of the story which might not be what some of you are expecting...but I had a burst of inspiration and wrote the next few chapters, which are filled with some really good drama-rama! I'm excited thinking about them! So I'm going to make a conscious effort to post quicker so we can get there. I'm aiming to get a chapter up every 2-3 days or so, at least until I don't have any more chapters written! I really hope you like these next few posts--let me know what you think! ENJOY!
Jude and Josh spent the night together, getting to know each other, dancing, and schmoozing with other celebrities. Tommy stayed with Sadie throughout the night, except for the times when she rushed off to meet someone famous. He kept his eyes on Jude, unable to look away. He watched her light up as Josh told her a funny story or when she posed cheerfully for more photos. He saw her steal french fries off his plate of food and when he dragged her out on the dance floor despite her resistance. If she was acting, she would surely get an Oscar—she had the whole room convinced that they were an item, as people continued to ogle at them.
As Jude and Josh finished their third helping of finger foods, Josh got pulled away for a quick interview. She went to the bar for another drink and heard a familiar voice behind her.
"So, looks like you were beat yet again by me. Not surprising in the least."
Jude turned around to see Eden standing before her, smiling smugly and holding a glass of champagne.
"Oh really? Then why didn't you win Best New Artist, Eden?" Jude asked, grabbing her drink from the bar.
"Politics," Eden said, taking a sip of the bubbling liquid in her glass. "You didn't really think you deserved to win, did you?"
"Politics? That's your theory?" Jude asked disbelievingly.
"It's not a theory, it's a fact. They can't give too many awards to one person."
"That's pathetic," Jude commented, rolling her eyes. "You're just bitter because you didn't win."
"Me? Bitter? Get over yourself, Jude. You only won because the judges felt sorry for you."
"Oh right," Jude said, anger rising. "Sorry for me because I have talent?"
"Is that what they call screaming into a microphone these days?" Eden asked with disgust.
Jude fumed, pulled back her drink to throw on Eden, as she felt someone's hand come up behind her and grab the glass.
"What are you—" she started angrily, whipping around to see Tommy gripping the glass.
"Hey, now," he said, pulling the drink out of Jude's stiff hand to avoid a PR nightmare.
"Hi, Tommy Q. Did you come over here to congratulate me too?" Eden asked with a smile.
"Actually, Eden," he said calmly, "I'm here for the real winner of the evening. If you're nicer to her, maybe she'll give you a shout out next year during her acceptance speech. You know, since you'll be sitting on your couch eating ice cream with your dog," Tommy said with a grin, ushering Jude away.
Eden seethed in anger as Jude smiled and laughed at his comment. Tommy laughed too as he pulled her towards the back of the tent.
"Thanks," she said with a smile.
"Are you kidding? That was fun," he admitted.
"How are you?" she asked, inspecting him. "I feel like I haven't seen you all night."
"That's probably because loverboy over there hasn't let you leave his side," Tommy said bluntly, glancing over at Josh who was wrapping up his interview and looking towards Jude.
"Tommy…" she said regrettably.
"I know, I know," he said quickly. "Is this hard for you, Jude? Do you mind spending all night with him? Because this isn't really my idea of fun."
"Of course it's hard for me," she stated. "But I honestly don't mind spending time with him. He's not a bad guy. He's entertaining and fun to hang out with."
"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better," he spat sarcastically, turning around to see Josh waving at her. She quickly waved back, feeling guilty, and turned back to Tommy.
"But he's not you," she said softly.
He looked into her eyes but quickly looked away, seeing Josh walk towards them. "Whatever, it doesn't really matter," Tommy said distantly, turning to walk away.
"Tommy, wait—" she pleaded, grabbing his arm. Josh approached them as Tommy stepped out of her grasp and took off towards the bar.
"What was that about?" Josh asked, seeing Tommy walk off and Jude look as if she could cry.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure? It doesn't look like nothing," he said, noting her sadness.
"I'm fine," she assured him, but still not looking happy.
He scrutinized her face, scrunched up in defeat. "You know, this is your night. Don't let anybody get to you."
"It's not that," she said, sighing deeply. "I just hate it when I feel like I'm letting people down, you know?"
He nodded understandably. "Yeah, I know that feeling. But it's hard not to. Everybody expects something out of you—you're not going to be able to make everybody happy."
"But some people are worth making happy," she said quietly, her eyes leaving him and darting over towards the bar.
He looked at her closely, following her eyes. "Why don't you go talk to him?"
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I'm here with you and that's the only thing I want to think about tonight."
He examined her reaction and shook his head. "As much as I appreciate that thought, I'd like it more if you weren't frowning. Go take care of whatever it is you need to do."
She looked at him closely and gave a small grin. "I'll only be a few minutes."
"Take your time," he urged, smiling. "I think I need one more round of fries anyway."
Tommy was standing at the bar with his back to the crowd, sipping his rum and coke. He loosened his tie a bit and scanned the bar, seeing the mix of PR people, celebrities, and groupies hanging all over each other. He could picture Jude standing with Josh off in some corner, laughing at all of his jokes, as he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
"That was fast, Sadie…" he said, turning around to see Jude standing before him.
"What was fast?" she asked, surveying his reaction.
"Oh, umm, Sadie went to go meet that Justin Timberlake guy. She's been running after celebrities all night."
"You're not a big enough star for her anymore?"
"Guess not," he admitted, shaking his head. "She's trying to move up in the world."
Jude nodded and smiled, feeling the awkwardness of their last conversation take over. She took a deep breath and held out her hand for him to take.
"Want to dance?" she asked.
He looked at her doubtfully. "What about your date? Won't he mind?"
"He'll get over it," she said, taking his hand from his side, pulling him away from the bar.
"Jude, I don't dance," he protested as she pulled him onto the dance floor.
"So? Neither do I," she reminded him. "It's a slow one, I think you can handle it."
He sighed, as she wrapped her arm around his neck. He hesitantly wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into him, and held her hand to his chest.
They slowly turned, holding each other close without a word, listening to the words of Norah Jones echo through the tent.
"I didn't mean to ditch you all night," Jude said softly, needing to say what was on her mind. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he countered. "I'm sorry for what I said. I knew what I was getting into, it's just a little tougher than I thought."
"It's tough for me too," she said convincingly. "He's a fun guy to hang out with but he's not the one I want to be with."
"I know," he admitted quietly.
"And it's only one night, then it's done."
"Right. One night," he replied, spinning her around a little quicker and holding her tighter. She smiled and rested her head on the edge of his shoulder, closing her eyes. He closed his eyes a little too and smiled, savoring the moment. Neither wanted the song to end, and failed to notice the stunned eyes and flashing cameras focused on them.