Chapter 12

As Tommy and Jude pulled into the parking lot of G-Major things seemed pretty normal as they would any other day.

J: Gee, Georgia sounded so serious on the phone, what do you think is going on?

T: Your guess is as good as mine. Come on, we might as well go in and find out what's up.

J: Yeah, guess now is as good a time as any.

Jude and Tommy made their way across the parking lot and Tommy held the door to the studios as Jude went in front of him. Just as Jude stepped inside the door the lights were suddenly turned up and all at once everyone yelled – SURPRISE!

Jude just froze where she was as she took in her surroundings. Hanging from one end of the ceiling to the other was a banner that read "Welcome Home Jude!" There were balloons and streamers everywhere. As Jude began to realize what was going on she was suddenly surrounded with people, Georgia and EJ, her mom, Jamieand Kat. They all spoke at once asking different questions:

G: Welcome home Jude!

EJ: So were you surprised?

M: Oh, Jude honey, I missed you so much.

K: Jude, welcome back – how was the tour.

Ja: Jude . . .

Jude turned to Tommy, who was still standing behind Jude inside the door.

J: Tommy, I can't believe you didn't tell me! She said as she punched him in the arm.

Tommy winced and rubbed his arm as he looked at Jude with a huge grin on his face.

T: Hey don't hate me, I didn't know anymore than you did.

J: Yeah right, you had to have known. I heard you on the phone with Georgia this morning.

T: Seriously, Georgia didn't say a word to me about a party.

G: That's right, I didn't tell you because you can never keep a secret. Jude, I hope this was OK, we just wanted to welcome you home right.

J: I don't know what to say, this is great!

Now that Jude had gathered her composure again, she took a look around the room and finally realized that this whole party was just for her. No matter how many birthday parties and release parties were thrown for her, she would never get used to the fact that someone would do all this for her. Slowly the crowd around her began to separate and shestarted to make her way around the room. Stopping to say a quick "hey" to everyone who had come out to welcome her home. Kwest and Darius, even Shay had turned up to say a hello and welcome her back from her first tour. Over the six weeks she was on tour, Jude had come to an understanding with Shay that they could at least try to be friends again, but that would be all it ever was. While Jude was taking a break from greeting everyone, Jamie met her at the drinks table.

Ja: Jude, I am so glad you are back. I can't believe how much I missed you this summer.

Ju: Oh Jamie, I missed you too.

Ja: Listen Jude, I can't wait to catch up and continue our little talk from the airport when you left. How about meeting me in Studio B in 15 minutes? We have a lot to talk about.

Ju: Yeah, OK. 15 minutes.

Jude smiled and continued to make her way around the room. Oh god, what am I going to say to Jamie? I just don't want to hurt him, but I have no idea how I feel. I thought it would be easy to figure it out this summer, that I would just automatically know what to say when I saw him for the first time again. But I think I am more confused than ever. What am I going to do?

Jude made her way over to Georgia.

J: Hey Georgia, um, I need to get some air for a minute. Just too much excitement I guess. I'll be back in a few minutes, OK?

G: Yeah sure Jude, take all the time you need. This is your party remember.
EJ: Hey Jude, just remember when you come back we are going to want to hear that beautiful voice of yours for at least one song.

J: OK EJ, I promise one song!

Jude made her way out of the room and headed towards Studio B. She knew that 15 minutes was not nearly up, but she needed some time to think about what to say to Jamie.

Tommy noticed Jude sneaking away and decided to check on her. He hadn't had a chance to talk to her since they came in the doors over two hours ago and he thought she looked a little worried about something. Tommy made his way back to Studio B and opened the door.

T: Hey girl, I thought I saw you head back this way.

J: Oh hey Tommy, yeah I guess I just needed some air.

T: No wonder, what a party huh?

J: Yeah its great.

T: Jude, what's the deal? What's bothering you and don't say nothing because I can read it all over your face.

J: I guess some things never change, you always could read me like an open book.

T: Yeah, I guess I could. So what's got you so serious looking?

J: It's Jamie.

T: What? What did he say to get to you? He is such an idiot sometimes.

J: Tommy, stop. It's not like that.

T: So how is it then?

J: Look Tommy, I don't thinkyou are who I really want to talk about this with.
T: Oh come on girl, I always told you that you can talk to me about anything and after everything we have been through the last few weeks, you know I am here for you.

J: Yeah, I know Tommy. OK, look, the day that I left for the tour Jamie was supposed to go with me so we were at the airport and all of a sudden he stopped me and said he wasn't going to go. He gave this speech about the fact that I was going to miss him and then he sort of kissed me.

T: He what? What do you mean by sort of kissed you?

Tommy felt like the air had been sucked out of him. He started to fidget with the controls on the board and pace the studio floor.

T: Come on Jude, it can't be that big of a deal – he was just saying goodbye right?

J: Well, not exactly. Look Tommy, I can't have this conversation with you right now. Jamie is coming back here any minute to talk about what's going on between us and it would not be good to find you here with me. You know how he can be.

T: Jude, you can't be serious about this thing with Jamie.

J: Tommy, please just let me deal with this he is my best friend.

T: Whatever.

With that Tommy flew out of the Studio and slammed the door behind him. Leaving Jude thinking to herself, what is his problem? He has no right to be giving me crap about Jamie and I. Especially not after what happened with him and Sadie. Despite the fact that their friendship had grown over the last few weeks, it still hurt to know he chose Sadie over her.

Meanwhile Tommy bypassed the party and headed out of the lobby. He just needed to get out of here for a while. Tommy made his way to the back door of the studios and out to the alley that held so much meaning for him and Jude.