AN – I hope you all enjoy this, but if you think it totally sucks, tell me! But please be gentle, I tend to be very sensitive (just kidding. "If you've got something to say, just say it." –Tommy in Unsweet Sixteen.) So please…let me know what you think! As always, r & r. OK, that's enough rambling for now. Enjoy!
Disclaimer – I do not own Instant Star or any of the characters. What else is new?
Part 2:
Just then, Jude realized her stomach had been growling for the past few minutes. She brought her diary into the kitchen, where she poured herself some milk and took out some cookies she'd bought hours ago. After she finished, she took out her diary, flipped a few more pages to the back, and continued reading.
Dear Diary,
I feel so stupid. I just finished my set here at the Vinyl Palace. It was great, but that's not it. Before I went on, Tommy came to my dressing room to give me the usual inspirational speech before I went up and rocked out on stage. We had our first "moment", but then I went and ruined it by kissing him. I mean, I thought he felt the same way, but for a moment, I forgot I was 15, and he was 22. Not to mention he's my producer, and I'm his artist. But I guess that's all it'll ever be. The question is, how do I face him? I'll have to work with him, but it's gonna be weird. I don't think I can do that, can I? Oh, Jamie's here. Probably to talk about my performance. Talk to you later!
Dear Diary,
I can't believe it! Jamie and I just had our worst fight ever. He said I wasn't the same old Jude as I was before, just because I changed the words to our song. Can't he see how hard it is for me? How everything I thought was supposed to be a certain way isn't allowed? And to top it all off, Georgia called and said she wants me back in the studio to write another hit. Which means, of course, that I'll have to work with Tommy again. Arggghhh! What's a girl to do in this situation? I guess I'll have to come up with some new lyrics before going in.
Jude smiled as she remembered how difficult it was for her to learn the ropes, but she also remembered some good times. She turned to the page she was looking for, and reread the words she'd written years ago.
Dear Diary,
I've so much to tell you! Do you remember the time my parents divorced, and Dad married Yvette, and Mom was dating Don, her divorce lawyer? Mom's relationship with Don didn't work out, and she realized it was too soon for her to get over Dad. They fought constantly, but deep down, she really loved him. And Dad was just looking to get out of a rut. He felt kinda tied down with a wife and family, having one of his daughters in the music industry, the same one that didn't appreciate his musical talents, and being stuck in the same position at his job, seeing his colleagues get promoted while he wasn't was just too much for him. Anyway, Yvette wanted him all to herself, and she wanted him to move to Alberta, where her family was. Not that it's all that far away, but Dad and I were pretty close, and Dad and Sadie were too. And Dad didn't want to move away from his girls, especially since Sadie was going away to university soon, and he wanted to be there for my concerts to see the life he would have had if it hadn't been for Mom, and us soon after. So he broke up with Yvette, and asked Mom to continue their marriage counseling. It took a while, but they're finally back together! Things aren't perfect, but they are taking it one step at a time. Sadie comes back as much as she can when she has a break, or just to say hi and see how everyone's doing. I think she can't believe it just like I can't. But it looks like we're a happy family once again. For now, anyway.
Jamie and Kat are together also. I dated Jamie for a little bit, which made Kat really upset since she loved him. I wish she had told me before we got together, but Jamie and I broke up soon after. We're still best friends though. Then I guess I spent too much time with Spiederman on tour, and after we got back from our first tour, everyone kept saying how close me and the band were, and that I couldn't have gone on alone that long without dating one of them. And Speed was acting all weird, and got defensive when I said I was into Wally. That was the whole jean jacket fiasco, where Speed started fighting with Wally and Kyle. And not just play fighting either. In front of the whole audience, which was being televised on national TV. So I pulled Speed aside and dealt with it, and later on, I asked him whether we were together or not. And then we kissed. I still can't believe it! I know, Tommy warned me about hooking up with a member of my band, but this thing with Speed? It's not like with Jamie (which was great, but Jamie's more of a friend than a boyfriend, even when we were dating), or Shay (I still can't forgive him for dumping me for Eden), or even Tommy (who kissed me and then took it back). I don't know what to think, it's all so different from any relationship I've ever had before. I just hope I don't jinx it by saying it won't end as bitterly as the others. Oh no, I take that back, forget I ever said that.
And Tommy? He was dating Sadie, but something happened and they broke up. I found out later that he'd cheated on her with a secretary named Lisa. I'd felt the heartbreak of losing Tommy before, so I couldn't take it when Sadie came to me, her eyes all red and puffy from crying her eyes out over him. She said she'd dumped him after seeing them together, and despite Tommy's efforts to make up with her, she swore she'd never forgive him. Then Tommy thought he'd try to make up with Sadie through me. But I wasn't about to let Tommy off the hook. At a party we were at, Tommy kept trying to get me to talk to Sadie for him, but I shoved him into the water fountain. In the middle of the room, where everyone could see. Then I left him with his pants dripping wet and clinging tightly to his…well, it doesn't matter, since he really is an ahole.
And Shay, you ask? Shay's still trying to get me back, even though I won't give him a chance. He hasn't spoken to Eden since the day they broke up (at my sweet, or should I say, unsweet 16th birthday party). Not that Eden's not trying to get him back. She's still trying, rather unsuccessfully, I might add, to get it on with Shay. But Shay's too busy trying to please his uncle Darius, who's still bossing everyone around, including me.
Oh shoot, Darius just called. I was supposed to be at the studio an hour ago. I'll write more soon.
Dear Diary,
Georgia's back! She, Tommy, and Kwest pitched in their money and bought back G Major from Darius. So now E.J.'s back, and everything's back to normal. Or is it? Kwest and Tommy are Georgia's new assistants, so that means that Tommy's not just my producer, he's my manager as well. I guess I'm his only priority now, and Kwest is stuck taking care of all the other artists. Poor Kwest! But at least I get more Tommy time. Which is a good thing, isn't it? Besides the fact that he makes me stay here for hours after everyone else has gone home, including Kwest. So I'm still at the studio, only to hear Tommy say "Jude, that's enough for today. Go home, get some sleep. 9:00. Tomorrow. Be here. We'll do it again since it's still nowhere near where it should be." Cue the rolling eyes. My throat hurts from being overused, I'm tired, even though I have a mountain of homework to do, and it's 11 p.m. I'm going home, and I'll write more soon. I promise.
Jude flipped even further back in her diary, and smiled as she recalled her 18th birthday.
Dear Diary,
Tonight was my 18th birthday! I was a little excited, but at the same time, not really. My history with birthday parties hasn't been as great as I wanted them to be, ever since my 16th birthday. Which, by the way, was one I desperately want to forget but can't. My 17th birthday was about the same, since Tommy kissed me again, and took it back. Again. So I didn't really want to make it a big deal, even though it is, but E.J. wouldn't hear of it. I didn't want to disappoint her, since she lives to throw parties, but you know how she is. Once she starts, no force in the world can stop her. So I got the full hair, clothes, makeup, and shoes just like last time. Sadie even helped me pick out my look, the one that says I'm not a girl anymore, but not yet an adult.
Once I was ready, the party was already in full swing, and I made my entrance. When I scanned the crowd, I saw that my family and friends were already there, smiling broadly, and it felt so good to know that they were supporting me, even after everything we'd been through. I also saw Kwest, and it was only then that I noticed Tommy standing next to him. He was wearing this incredibly formal suit and tie, with his trademark hair slicked back. I'd seen him every day in the studio, but that night…he just looked different. He walked over, smiling at me, and whispered, Happy birthday, Jude. The way he said it, it sounded really sweet. Not that it normally wouldn't, but as it came from Tommy, it was extra special. I felt my heart pound as I looked at him, and Kwest changed the music from 'Me out of Me' to 'Time to be Your 21'. Soon, the dance floor was taken over by couples, including my parents, and Jamie and Kat, and Tommy offered his hand to me. "May I have this dance?" He said, in all seriousness. I laughed as he made a mock bow, then took his hand. The second our hands touched, it was as if time stood still. I felt as though all eyes were on us as we made our way onto the dance floor. Tommy pulled me close to him, and I felt his heart beating fast, almost as fast as my heart was. All too soon, the song was over. Kwest put on 'Temporary Insanity' next, and I felt that I needed to get a drink. When I came back, I saw Tommy whisper something into Kwest's ear. I wondered what they were up to, when a minute later, Kwest interrupted the song.
What he said next shocked everyone, especially me. Kwest said that little Tommy Q had written a song, one that he'd wanted to sing for a long time. Most of the women in the crowd sighed in jealousy as Tommy took center stage. He sang about making mistakes, heartbreak, and how sometimes you don't get a second chance to make things right again.
When he finished, he walked over until he was right in front of me. The spotlight was on the both of us now, and he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. He said, "Jude, I know I've hurt you in the past. The truth is, I was afraid to admit I was scared. Scared of what the media would say, scared of what your parents would do to me if they knew how much in love with you I was…" The crowd laughed as the spotlight briefly flashed on them, showing the expressions on their faces, then came back to settle on us. "But most of all, I was scared about us. Especially myself. I knew I could ruin it for both of us, since I'm always in the news…" Some girls cheered as Tommy smiled. He turned his attention back to me. "But I should be able to handle the pressure. And that's why I'm here tonight. I want to show everyone who I really am, how I really feel, how I shouldn't care what people think or say, and that I should just be myself." He took my hand, and we walked over to my parents. He reached in his right pocket, and handed me a small box. "Open it," Tommy urged.
So I did. Inside was a 24-carat diamond and emerald ring. I was shocked, to say the least, as my mouth was hanging open and the crowd gasped as Tommy knelt down in front of me. "If it's OK with your parents, Jude, will you marry me?"
I was still in shock, so it took a couple moments for it to sink in. "Jude?" Tommy asked again, waving his hand in front of my face. I was still off in my own world, so Tommy grabbed me and kissed me. I came out of it so fast and said, "Yes. My answer's yes!" The crowd cheered as Tommy sprang up and hugged me in response, and my parents looked at each other for a split second before they roared, "JUDE!" The crowd instantly fell silent.
I looked up at them, expecting them to be furious. Expecting them to ask a million questions. "Jude, he's your producer. Jude, you're too young for him (he's too old for you). Jude, how long has this been going on? Jude, he's in and out of the tabloids…and on and on." Instead, my dad glanced at my mom briefly, and said, "Tommy, take care of her for us." My mom nodded in agreement, and I hugged them as the crowd went wild.
AN: Sooo, what do you think? Read & review please!