-1Well, here's the next installment and I hope you like it. I noticed that nobody is reviewing anymore and either nobody is reading it or you just aren't reviewing. I don't know how to tell if you want me to continue writing it or delete it. So please, if you are reading this and like it, just review. Thank you. Enjoy
"Please welcome to the stage, Jude and Eden!" the host said smiling into the audience.
Jude slowly made her way out on the stage. She waved to her Mom who was standing in the audience cheering like she was a teenager. She looked around and saw Sadie leaning against a wall checking her watch. She had on her old Boyz Attack t-shirt, she looked like a freak. And with another quick glance around the room, Tommy was no where to be seen.
"So girls, both of you have been taking turns at being the lead story in the tabloids lately, but Eden, you seem to have the lead story right now. Care to share any juicy facts with all your fans? Was Shay really worth it?"
"Oh you know it," Eden said winking at the camera. She turned to Jude and smirked. "Why don't you tell the crowd how worth it Shay really is?"
Jude nodded her head. "You know, I would, except, how worth it could he really be, if he's interested in you."
"Well somebody's bitter," Eden said rolling her eyes.
"Don't you have something to say Eden?" Jude asked changing the subject.
Eden stared into Jude's eyes before she turned and spoke into the cameras. "You know I do, Shay baby, I miss you. See you soon!"
Jude pursed her lips. She cracked her knuckles and smiled as she imagined slamming her fist into Eden's face. And at this moment, she could honestly forget they were on live TV and do it. But Georgia would probably have a heart attack and it would just make her look petty and pathetic. And she was sick of looking pathetic. In fact, it was time for Eden to look a little pathetic. She smiled at the host and then glared at Eden before she turned and walked off the stage.
"Where are you going?" Eden asked bewildered. Jude wouldn't dare walk off. She couldn't perform this song without her, she had all the high notes.
"Sorry everybody, even I couldn't make this next song worth listening too," Jude said shrugging her shoulders. She waved one last time before she walked backstage and left Eden standing on the stage.
"Damn, never thought she'd do it," Tommy said chuckling under his breath. He wanted to clap and cheer Jude on. He'd wanted to jump up onstage and stick up for Jude but maybe it was time for Jude to do some standing up for herself.
"Please don't tell me you had something to do with this," Georgia said covering her eyes with one of her hands. "We said Jude would perform, we promised them Jude would perform. She can't do this. She'll look unreliable."
"We won't be able to book her anymore," EJ said speaking up from behind them.
"You heard her, if Eden didn't apologize she wasn't going to perform. She warned you," Tommy said still proud of his girl. "And to all of her real fans, she'll look like she was standing up for herself. Besides, her fans don't like Eden anyway."
"True," EJ and Georgia said at the same time.
"Don't worry," Tommy said spying Sadie leaning against the wall. "Jude will sing, just not with her." He nodded one last time before he made his way across the room to Sadie. She glanced at him before she turned to face the stage and pretended to be enthralled with Eden's performance. At least he hoped she was pretending to be enthralled because Eden sounded horrible.
"Nice shirt," Tommy said biting his lip to keep from laughing.
"Just showing my support," Sadie said without even looking at him.
"I want you to know that I heard what you were saying the other day," he said. "You were right, I was being a jerk."
"I changed my mind," Sadie said interrupting him. "You were a jackass."
"Okay, I'm sorry I was being such a jackass," Tommy said smiling at her. "But I'm here now, aren't I? I'm going to sing the song and give it my all."
Sadie turned to face him and crossed her arms over her chest. "Where's the white suit?"
"Retired," Tommy said shuddering at the memories. When Sadie shook her head he hurried to add. "Hey, I said I'd sing, I didn't say I'd go back in time."
Sadie laughed. "Well, from a fan, thank you for deciding to perform. This means a lot."
"Your welcome," Tommy said moving so he was leaning against the wall too.
"I know we haven't talked much," Sadie said changing the subject. "And that you have this thing going with my sister but if you ever want to hang out, all you have to do is call."
Tommy looked at the floor while he tried to figure out what to say. Sadie had it all wrong, there was nothing going on between him and Jude. But they both wanted something to be going on. So maybe this was a good thing. "I'd love to hang out with you. Jude and I are just friends, I'm her producer, that's it."
Sadie stared into his eyes before she nodded. "Good."
Jude stormed into her dressing room. She knew Eden was going to do that. Why had she ever agreed to even stand onstage with her? Doing anything with Eden was just asking for trouble. She was pacing back and forth when someone knocked on her door. "Go away."
"Jude."
She froze and prayed to God that she just imagined his voice. "Go away."
"Sorry honey, I can't do that," her father said after he opened the door. "I thought you were suppose to perform. Georgia will be mad you walked off stage."
"She'll get over it," Jude said without turning around. "What do you want?"
"Jude," Stuart said softly. "I have never missed a performance."
"Maybe you should start," she said sarcastically.
"Is this how it's going to be now?" he asked sadly.
"What'd you expect? A big hug, me saying all is forgiven, tell me what you want," Jude said getting even angrier.
"I want my little girl back," he said honestly.
"Yeah well, your little girl died the day you asked her to lie to her mother about you cheating," Jude said sitting down. "There are three things I hate in this world. Smokers, liars and cheaters. Two out of three aint bad daddy."
Stuart stared at his youngest daughter and felt his heart break. He'd done this to her. Made her so angry and he couldn't fix it. Sadie was easy, she would do anything to get his approval. But Sadie always had been the easier child. Jude was the difficult one. The emotional one. When she felt something, she felt it down to her bones.
"I'll go then," Stuart said turning to leave the room. "But I want you to know that I am sorry. I know the words don't mean anything right now but someday they might. Just remember. I'm here, if you ever need me."
Jude watched him leave the room and wanted to cry at how sad she felt all of a sudden. Her life was falling apart again and in five minutes she had to be onstage to sing a damn boy band song. Life couldn't possibly get any worse. Jude made her way towards the stage and waited for her cue that Tommy and her had worked out. She just needed to get through this song and then she'd go home and write the last song on her album. Then she'd relax. That was the plan.
If I was a drift on an ocean all alone
You came and rescued me
When I was far from home
Rush of love around my heart
Just as I fell apart
Nobody ever cared as much for me (as much for me)
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked up the pieces and put me back together again
Jude watched Boyz Attack sing their number one song from years before. Tommy was really getting into it. She wished she had a camera, this was some serious blackmail material.
Ooo ya
Careful, we're fragile and easily we break
In your arms I'm certain
It's all the love we make
Rush of love around my heart
Just as you take my hand
Nobody ever cared as much for me (as much for me)
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked the pieces and put me back together
Jude took a deep breath before she walked out onto the stage. This was coming as surprise to everybody. Georgia was staring at her with her mouth hanging open and EJ dropped her cell phone. She could hear the words in her head 'Jude Harrison singing a Boyz Attack song.' What in the hell was she doing?
I'll write you name in
Stars across the sky (stars across the sky)
We'll drift away in
To each others eyes
Hey ya (Hey ya) Hoy ya ya ya yaya, oh ya ya
Nobody ever cared as much for me
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked the pieces and put me back together
Jude looked at Tommy and they shared a smile. This was actually kinda fun. Singing a stupid boy band song was actually really relaxing to do. It didn't mean anything to her, this song wouldn't further her career or anything but it was fun. And that gave her an idea.
Nobody ever cared as much for me (as much for me)
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked the pieces and put me back together again
Nobody ever cared as much for me (as much for me)
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked the pieces and you've put me back together again
Jude shared a hug with Tommy before taking a final bow. She knew Tommy wouldn't like it but she was recording Pick Up the Pieces and putting it on her album. Maybe not as her last song but it was going on there. Now she just had to talk Georgia into it.