So I went back and edited this chapter, 'cause I felt like it, and now hopefully all of it is past tense and not so much crazy talk. Yes, there will be a chapter 6 up soon... This is probably going to be a loooong story. I have an idea of where it's going, it just may take a while to get there... By the way, do you guys like happy endings? Me, I personally like them. But I've always been very angsty too, so it's hard to say which is better in a fic.

Read and review? 'Cause then I'll love you! (I'm not much of a poet)

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Here I am. Eighteenth birthday party. Standing "backstage"... and in a moment I'm gonna walk out there and be greeted by paparazzi, friends and family.

As Kwest announced my name and spun my still-favorite song, "24 Hours," I prayed I wouldn't trip and fall flat on my face, took a deep breath, and walked around to the front of the screen that provided to be the backdrop of the stage.

I was greeted by applause and cheers. I waved to my friends and family and smiled cheesily for the camera. And then I got this strange feeling. Like someone was watching me.

Of course someone's watching you. All eyes in the room are on you.

I looked around, trying to find the source of my shivers. The room was the right tempurature, and nothing seemed out of place. I shrugged the feeling off, wrapping my shawl tighter around my shoulders.

The next half hour or so is a huge blur. I give my speech and pride myself in getting a couple of laughs from my audience. I do a performance of, "Again," one of my favorite tracks on my newest album. And then I'm off the stage, the camera bulbs have stopped flashing, and I'm back with Jaime and Kat.

"Oh, my God, I swear you always sound amazing on stage!" Kat was jumping up and down.

"Yeah, I guess I'll need Jaime to be that bodyguard pretty soon, huh..." I joked. We both had a laugh while Jaime stared on, confused. He opened his mouth to say something, and then suddenly frowned.

"Oh, come on, Jaime. Like you wouldn't want to be a bodyguard. Tough job for a tough man like you..."

"No, it's not that. I don't know what the hell you guys are talking about, but your phone's ringing, Jude." He pulled my cell phone out of his pocket, and I realized that I left it on vibrate.

"Sorry," I said with a laugh, then grabbed the phone and walked off to the corner of the room for some privacy. I flipped open my phone and gasped.

Tommy Q?

The photo is unmistakeable. The name, the number, both unmistakeable.

What should I do? Should I pick up? Oh my God...

Before I tear myself up over the possibility that Tommy is actually calling me, I hit the receive button and tell myself to suck it up. I don't say anything.

"...Jude? Are you there?"

Okay, breathe. Breathe. Don't hyperventillate.

I sucked in a deep breath. "Tommy. Hi."

"Hey." And then it's silent.

"...Happy birthday, girl."

I blush, despite my surroundings. Of course he's calling you, I scolded myself. It's your birthday. And what could he possibly want from you on your 18th birthday...

"Thanks."

"Can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

"What?" I'm confused. "We're kind of on our cell phones right now, Tommy, nobody else is listening..."

"I mean, can you go someplace private? I know you're at your party. I can hear everything going on in the background."

I smacked my forhead. Of course. "Uh, yeah. Right, I'll go where people can't hear me." I paused. "Which is where?"

"Go to Studio B, Jude."

I stayed silent. Studio B? Ever since Tommy left, I'd been working in Studio A. I hadn't set foot into His studio since my first album finished.

"It'll be silent in there. Just go, Jude."

"Okay..."

I'm not sure what posessed me to follow the instructions of a 25-year-old man who hasn't spoken to me since I was 16, but I do. I make sure nobody's watching before I slip into the Studio. I shut and lock the door firmly behind me.

It feels weird to be back in here, after all that time. I shook off the memories threatening to drown me. I turn towards the glass wall and watch my reflection.

"Okay," I said again, once out of anyone's earshot. "What is it you want to talk about? And can you hurry, 'cause it's kind of my party and I really should be out there talking it up or whatever-"

"Jude."

I turned my head away from the glass and gasped audibly as the swivel chair in front of me spun in it's spot. My phone slipped from my grasp and he caught it just in time. Was he really sitting just feet from me, and I had no clue?

"Tommy." My voice comes out strangled. It couldn't possibly be him. Here. Not now.

He smiled and stood up. He handed the phone back to me after ending his call. "Might wanna be careful with this thing. The last thing you need is for it to get smashed up."

"It's really you..." I whispered. I'm sure that all the color has drained from my face.

He grins at me. "In the flesh, girl."