Chapter Nine---Getting Nowhere, Fast

A/N: Hey, guys! Thanks for all the love and support! I totally appreciate each and every one of you guys! You're the reason I write fanfics! I truly hope you enjoy this new chapter.

I really love messing with Shay. So enjoy and review!

Dedication: I had lots to choose from this time, but I finally chose…EmmyM! D Congrats! Thanks for all your love!

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Jude tried to take a deep breath, finding it very difficult. "What are you doing here?" she asked, weary.

Shay flashed her his 'Certified, Sure-to-Make Any Girl Swoon, Shay Grin.' Jude looked away. "To see my favorite Instant Star." He set a hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes.

Jude snarled, shaking his hand off of her. "I thought that was Eden."

Shay looked genuinely hurt. "Jude, how many times do I have to apologize for that?" When she didn't answer him, he added, "I got back from my world tour last night and I thought I'd stop by here and see what Uncle D is up to. Isn't it so cool that he's working here?"

She frowned, "Shay, he bought G Major from Georgia and sent her packing. Now he's sent me packing too!"

"What do you mean?" he asked, taking a step toward her.

"What she means is…your idiot of an uncle let Jude go," Tom placed himself between Jude and Shay, a defensive look etched into his face. "And he's not afraid to do it to anyone else."

Shay glanced around Tom's body and met Jude's gaze, "Is this true, Jude? Darius fired you?"

"I quit. But him and Liam have been so bad for me. They make me sing covers and act like this little princess…I'm not. I never was." Jude was close to tears again. Tom put his arm around her and pulled her against his body.

Shay moved around Tom and stood next to her, "Jude. That's the industry. You've gotta do stuff you don't want to do and you have to sing stuff you don't want to sing. And if you don't, you lose. But if you do, you get to make the music you want."

Jude pulled away from Tom just enough to look Shay in the eyes. "I'm not like you. I will not sacrifice my music for Darius. He can not control my music and he can not control me. I won't let him." She took a step away from Tom, glaring at Shay. "I'm gonna go home and sleep."

She turned to leave, red in the face. "Jude, wait," Shay called at her retreating back. "I'm sorry about what I said. But you're still a rookie at the industry."

She turned to him, tears pouring from her eyes. "You're right, Shay…and you're the pro…at selling yourself out to make your stupid uncle happy." Without another word, she stormed out of the studio, never looking back.

Tom smirked at Shay, who was speechless. "Nice work, Shay-Shay. Two minutes here and you've already managed to make her cry." Tom leaned in close to his face, and whispered, "Got to be a record."

Shay glowered at the older man, "Shut up, Quincy. Like you've never done it before." Shay took a step back and spit on the ground in front of Tom, turning his nose up at him. "Talk to me when you're not a hypocrite." Shay turned on his heels and walked back to Darius' office.

Tom scoffed at him and headed for the door, hoping Jude was still outside.

---

Tears flowed freely down Jude's face. I can't believe that jerk. He comes back and tells me that I need to let people walk all over my music. You've got to be kidding me!

"Jude!" Tom's voice traveled down the street behind her. "Wait up!" He jogged up next to her, stopping her with a hand on her shoulder.

"I can't believe him!" she ranted, fury flying out of her in every direction.

"I know, Jude. But he's Shay. He's always been like that. Imagine growing up with Darius." A smile spread across her face slowly, but soon retreated to where it had been hiding.

"Genetically doomed to be a jackass." Tom grinned at her wit but Jude's smile was gone.

"Come on, let me take you home."

---

Tom pulled his Viper up to the curb and put it in park. Jude hopped out without a word, slamming the door in her wake.

"Jude, come on." Tom whined, getting out of the car and following her. The entire ride over had been in silence, much to the frustration of Tom. "Jude, wait up." She entered her house, leaving the door open and heading up to her room.

Tom stopped at the bottom of the stairs, debating whether or not to follow her.

"Go ahead, I dare you." Sadie said from behind him. He spun around and his jaw dropped.

Sadie was wearing the most revealing thing he'd seen since his latest tabloid exposure. Her top half was barely covered with a leopard-print bikini top. The only thing shielding her entire upper half was a sheer black top. Her skirt was the shortest denim thing he had ever laid eyes on. She had black leggings and black ankle boots.

Tom had to pick his jaw up from the floor. "Sadie…"

"Save it, Tom." Grabbing her coat, she walked toward her door.

"Sadie, where are you going?"

She faced him, a sly smile on her face. "Out… with Portia."

"Portia?" he choked out, eyes widening.

"Yeah, Tom," Sadie spat, crossing her arms over her chest. "After I found my little sister asleep on your couch, I went to the studio because I needed a place to crash. Portia was the only one there. We ended up talking and I found out…She and I, we have a lot in common. You see, we both know how it feels to be with Little Tommy Q."

"Sadie…" Tom muttered, dropping his head a bit.

"The lying, cheating, and my personal favorite, never seeing you. Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna go out and have some fun. You know, that thing we never do anymore." Turning on her heel, she flung the door open.

"Stop walking out on me, Sadie!"

"Then stop giving me a reason to." Stepping out onto her porch, she sighed and turned around once more, adding, "Tom, I'll be waiting for you when you grow up and realize she's too young for you."

Without another word, Sadie stomped out of her house, leaving a speechless Tom in her entryway.

---

Jude walked to her stereo, turning on some Clash. Joe Stummer's guitar melody filled her room as she collapsed on her bed, face first.

In one hour, she had to meet the SME boys back at their apartment. And in the hour before she had to leave, she had to tell her mom that their was such a thing as "Jude's apartment," successfully remember why she was over Shay, remind herself why Tommy was totally out of bounds, and get a shower.

Jude sighed and flipped onto her back, remembering the most important task—telling her mom about the apartment. She felt the tears streaming down her face. She whispered, "I can't do this. I can't tell my mom I got an apartment with three teenage guys. I don't remember why I hated Shay! And I sure as hell don't remember why Tommy is still out of bounds!"

"Because, he's a total jerk," his voice startled her. Jude sat up quickly and saw Tom leaning against her doorframe, a serious look on his face. "He'll break your heart."

"And what if he already has?" Jude asked, sounding as hurt as she felt.

"Then, all the more reason to stay away from him." There was moment of silence between them. Tom took the time to walk over to her bed and sit next to her. "Jude…you can't understand how hard this is for me."

"What about for me?" Her eyes revealed all the pain in her heart.

"I know, Jude. But you know why we can't do this. You're sixteen."

"And when I turn eighteen? What will be your excuse then?"

"There's your music and my career—"

Jude broke down into sobs. "Why do you keep making excuses!"

"That not what I meant, Jude…" He sighed, not knowing what to say.

Jude sat up straight and wiped her eyes dry, daring Tom to look at her. "Tommy, you can't deny that the chemistry between us is what makes our music so great."

"But if we broke up? Then what?" Tom glanced away, not wanting to meet her gaze. "I can't let your music suffer…"

"You think this is helping?" she asked earnestly.

"No," he admitted, dropping his head. "But you're still sixteen."

"Stop bringing up the age, Tommy!" He stood and walked toward her door, groaning loudly.

"Jude, you have to know that I… I care about you." She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Tom turned to her, a solemn look on his face. "But we can't be anything more than friends. We'll end up regretting it and ruining our friendship."

"Some friend you are, Tom Quincy," she spat.

Tom was out of things to say. He had tried everything he could think of. Except… "Jude…there's still Sadie."

She grinned maliciously, "Boy, do I know how she felt right now." Tom frowned at her, confused. "What does the two of us have to do with my sister?"

"It has a lot to do with it, Jude!" Getting frustrated, Tom ran his hand through his hair. "She and I are…still…something…and Jude…I can't!"

She stood, eyebrows furrowed, "Stop hiding! You're such a coward! Just tell me how you feel. For once in your whole life, just tell me what's in your heart. Just—"

Tom leaned in swiftly, pressing his lips firmly against Jude's. He pulled away just a hair.

"I love you," he whispered breathlessly into her mouth. Before she could say a word, Tom was out her door. Within seconds, she could hear her front door close.

Jude moved quickly to her window, looking outside. Tom was in the driver seat of his Viper, pounding his fists into the steering wheel. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed his. She watched him answer it silently.

"I love you too," she murmured.

"Jude, we can't—" She felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

"I know… I just… I love you, too." She hung up quickly before Tom could hear her cry.

"Jude!" Victoria's voice traveled upstairs. "Dinner!"

"Coming!" she replied, wiping her eyes. Making her way downstairs, she took a deep breath, praying Sadie wouldn't be home tonight.

---

Sadie glanced around the crowded, noisy nightclub. "Portia, do you know anyone here?"

"I know you! Have I told you how much I love your outfit yet, 'cause I do!" The older woman smirked and handed Sadie a mixed drink from the bar. "Bottom's up!" Portia down her shot in seconds, all smiles.

The blonde girl shrugged. "Tomorrow, I leave for university."

"And tonight…" Portia grabbed another shot, exchanging Sadie's mixed drink for the heavier alcohol. "…you live."

---

Jude and Victoria sat in silence eating their food, until her mom broke the silence, "Anything new, Jude?"

Is she psychic! Jude swallowed hard. "Actually, Mom. I've got some news."

"Oh?" Victoria set down her silverware. "Me too." She giggled like a teenager.

"Go first," Jude insisted.

"Okay, you remember Don, right?" Her mom leaned forward, setting her elbows on the table.

"Your divorce lawyer?" Jude asked offhandedly. Victoria nodded.

"Well…he asked me out for coffee tomorrow night!" Her mom was downright giddy. "Isn't that exciting!"

Jude was dumbfounded. "You and your…divorce lawyer?"

"His name is Don." Victoria was losing her exhilaration.

"Is that…legal?" Jude asked.

Victoria laughed. "Of course!" She noticed her daughter's apprehension. "I'm not asking your permission. I just thought you should know."

Jude was beginning to get angry. Her parents had only been officially divorced for a couple weeks. And her mom was already dating!

"Well, I got an apartment and I'm moving in tonight!" Now probably wasn't the best time to bring this up, but she couldn't help herself. Her mom wasn't going to either. "I'm not asking your permission. I just thought you should know."

Jude stood from the table, glaring at her mother. "Where are you going?" Victoria asked her.

"To my apartment." Jude stormed out of her house without another word.

---

Tom had been driving around, not sure where to go since he had left Jude's.

I really screwed this thing up with Jude, didn't I?

Tom groaned and turned his car around, speeding toward Jude's house.

---

Jude was running out of people to call when she walked out on her family. Taking out her cell phone, she dialed the one person she knew she needed to talk to.

"I'm sorry," she greeted him. "I shouldn't have said the things I did and I apologize."

"Jude, girl, you were right." Shay said, his voice brimming over with sympathy. "I've lost touch with real music and I don't want the same thing to happen to you. I promise not to make you cry anymore if you promise to let me open for you on your world tour."

Jude laughed, "Okay." She remembered why she had fallen in love with Shay in the first place—his sweet nature and ability to make her laugh. She sighed, thinking about how she had gone off on him earlier.

To be fair, Shay had apologized—multiple times—for the Eden thing. All this time apart had been good for the two of them. Jude had been able to forgive him.

Only one problem. Now that she didn't hate him anymore…and now that Tommy was officially over…Jude remembered how gorgeous Shay really was.

"Shay?" she said tentatively.

"Yeah?"

"Want to go to a party with me?"

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A/N: Just to warn you, I'm using my author's notes to chat with you guys, so sorry if it's super long. If you don't want to read them, just go ahead and review. Thanks, and I love you! heh-heh.

Okay, Chapter 9 is done! Hope you liked it! Please review. I want to get to 77 reviews before I post Chapter 10! I know you guys can do it. I love all my reviewers to pieces—you guys are the reason I write!

And a special thanks goes out to Erin-aka-Pip, who told her friend to read my story. And now her friend loves it too. So, thanks, Petra! You know I love you! (Now, update "Guy Next Door" already!)

TV SHOW NOTES: Wildfire is one tonight! Yay! Junior and Kris might get together! Yay!

Also, Instant Star this week made me cry and smile. Jude and Tom had a couple moments…like when he was talking about "chemistry being good for the work" and he motioned between himself and Jude…awww! But I don't know how I feel about Spied (Speed?) and Jude yet…………

Next chapter is entitled: GETTING TOGETHER

Love always,
Jude Quincy