1First of all, I'd like to thank all the people who reviewed my story. The fact someone would take time and review my story means a lot to me.
Secondly, the original title of this chapter was to be "When the Stars Go Blue" (a Ryan Adams song) but upon writing I decided to change it. This chapter uses the song (and claims Jude wrote it) "Pieces of Me", a song sung by Ashlee Simpson from her album Autobiography, penned by Simpson, John Shanks and Kara Dioguardi. The album was released by Geffen records.
Rumors
Chapter Two: Pieces of Me
"Sometimes I wish the rest of the world didn't exist." The blonde signer said as she cuddled back into her boyfriend's arms.
The two sat comfortable on a couch at the band's house. Wally and Kyle had left to go pick up pizza which left the couple alone for a few minutes. The television set was quietly humming in the background while the rest of the room was without noise.
"Come on Jude, you know you love Darius and the rest of the guys at G-Major." He said as he removed a piece of loose hair from her forehead. "That was a joke," he assured with a smile. "Times like these are nice."
"And few and far between," she added quickly. "Soon I'll be back in the studio and it'll constantly be to sing this and sing that and do this and do that and putting the final touches on an album is an all night ordeal that drains anyone!"
"Calm down." Speed pulled her so they faced each other. "Are you okay?"
"Okay? Of course..."
"You go from being happy to psycho-Jude," he pulled his hands up and made a wicked impression with his face.
"Psycho-Jude?" She sounded agitated. "What's that mean?"
"It was a joke, it meant nothing..."
"I don't think I like that name." Her eyes narrowed.
"I'm sorry, I just thought it'd cheer you up." His mouth was wide open in surprise from the unexplainable reaction.
"Well it didn't," she positioned herself back and crossed her arms. "I'm just running out of energy."
"That's why I'm here!" He gave a charismatic smile.
Figuring there be no need to add to the argument she forced a smile. "Yeah," she rocked back into his arms and slowly calmed down.
"Care to talk about it?"
"Not really. Let's just enjoy our peace and quiet -
"Pizza's here!" Wally and Kyle rambled into the building with a box of pizza in each hand.
"Too late." Spiederman said under his breath.
The four relocated around the couch with the pizzas setting in the center piece. The television's volume was now loud and the screen depicted an interview on. The screen flashed a woman who introduced another young lady. All four instantly recognized it as the interview from the previous day.
"Hey it's you!" Kyle sarcastically stated. "You're on the t.v. You must be famous!"
"Just watch the show." Speed joked as he put his arm around Jude.
"I was such a wreck on that show." Jude shook her head as the interview drew closer to an ending. "Look at me, it was so obvious I had nothing to say. I know G-Major is going to flip about the "personal life" comment I made."
"I think you did a great job," Wally chimed in.
"Me too, you looked great too." Speed added with another charming smile. "Don't worry about what Darius and the rest of G-Major think, you did good as always. Besides, Papa like." He added the infamous words of his self-created pet name.
"You guys are too good for words," she let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey it's the last piece of pizza," Wally revealed the lone slice in the last box. "Who wants it?"
"It has my name all over it!" Jude said as she tugged the slice from his hand. "Pizza can brighten anyone's bad day."
After the pizza had gone Wally and Kyle had went back into another room. Speed and Jude finished putting up the empty boxes.
"Hey Speed," Jude said softly.
"Yeah?"
"About earlier, when I got mad..." she sounded embarrassed.
"When you went psy- I mean 'uh, what about it?"
"I'm really sorry. I knew you were only trying to help. I shouldn't have freaked out."
"It's all good," he assured as he walked up to her. "Come here."
She walked into his arms and embraced the hug. She wrapped her arms around and accepted the warmth from his body. Jude looked up and half way smiled. "Thanks for understanding Speed. I'm glad someone does."
"That's why I'm your boyfriend."
"And what is a good boyfriend without a crazy girlfriend?" She lightly laughed at her own joke. Suddenly she let go and quickly ran toward the table where the pizza once sat. "Hold on real quick!" she shouted.
She ran back and sat down on the couch. Uncapping the pen she grabbed, Jude began to write on a blank sheet of paper. The first line of lyrics came with ease before the rest of the words flowed. She had finished up the second verse and then grabbed the nearest guitar.
"Someone's inspired," Speed smiled before sitting down beside her. He looked over at the piece of paper.
"Wait! Don't read yet," she covered up the paper. "I just had an idea! I have a set of chord progressions I wanted to use on the second album but never found the lyrics, I think you've just solved that problem."
"Me? Solving problems. Too bad I don't have that same skill in math."
"Do you want to hear it?"
"Duh! If it's about your super hot guitarist boyfriend it has to be great," he flashed a smile.
She positioned the guitar comfortable before she started strumming. After making a few switches from two different chords she began to sing quietly.
On a Monday I am waiting, by Tuesday I am fading and by Wednesday I can't breathe...Then the phone rings, I hear you, in the darkness there's a clear view, you've come to rescue me...fall sometimes I fall so fast, I can hardly catch my breath, I hope it last!
Another chord change and a quick breath of air later, Jude was belting out a melodic chorus.
Oooh, seems like I can finally rest my head on something real, I like the way that feels. Oooh, it's as if you know me better than I ever knew myself, I love how you can tell, all the pieces...pieces...pieces of me.
A smile cracked on Jude's face as she sung the next verse.
I am moody, messy, I get restless and a senseless, how you never seem to care. When I'm angry you listen, make me happy is your mission and you won't stop til I'm there...Fall with you I fall so fast, when I hit the bottom crash, you're all I have...
The line caused Speed to bashfully grin. Even when Jude was angry or moody he knew it was worth it. He listened carefully when Jude launched into the second round of the chorus. Her mouth was wide and she harmonized.
I love how you can tell, all the pieces, pieces, pieces of me
Obviously the song had not yet come to completion, yet Jude had ran out of ideas. She stopped playing and played the guitar down. "That's all I've got so far, I still need a bridge. But what did you think? Good, bad, lame?"
"No! It was really good."
"Really? Or are you just saying that because it's about you?" She winked playfully.
"If it was about some other guy I'd be ready to write an angry break up anthem. But seriously, I like it a lot. It has a hooky chorus and some good chord changes. Are you going to record it for a last minute addition to the sophomore album?"
"I hope Tommy will let me. I think it has a lot of potential to be a good summer hit."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"You want to add another song to the album?" Tommy didn't sound pleased as he looked at Jude and Speed in the recording studio.
"Yeah dude," Speed replied.
Tommy moved his finger in front of Speed. "It's sir to you," he narrowed his eyes.
"Sorry, dude-sir."
"Tommy, I think it can be a great summer single, it has a lot of life."
"It does have a lot of life and I think it would be a good single but Darius hasn't really be in the giving mood lately." He explained further. "We already have a budget for final production and engineering, I seriously doubt he'll lend out more money for us to record another song and then produce and fix it up."
"But-
"And G-Major has already released a track listing of the sophomore album on the internet. Fans won't be pleased to see their favorite singer lied to them."
"But fans do like it when their favorite singer has a last minute idea that totally rocks!" Speiderman interjected.
"Enough from you," he rudely blurted before turning back to Jude. "I hate to bring up the horse that's already been beaten but you know you're record sales were depressing. G-Major is already trying to get you some publicity for the sophomore release, changing what's been advertised isn't good marketing. I'm sorry Jude."
"I understand..." she shrugged with a sigh. "I guess I'll have to save it for the next album, or the next tour."
"This is totally bogus!" Speed stood up before he yelled. "Dude, this song is awesome! It would be a hit, why can't Darius cough up a few more dollars and let Jude record it."
"You, shut up!" Tommy's words rolled with venom. "You don't have the slightest clue as to what you're talking about. You're a whinny guitar player who sings back up, you have no idea about the business."
"Well...at least I'm not some stuck up, washed out ex-boy band member!"
"Could you two stop it?" Jude interrupted. "Speed, thanks for standing up for me but I understand the situation." She looked from him to Tommy. "And thanks for explaining it to me." She returned her look to both of them. "Don't worry about it though, I promise I'll sing the song one day."
Speed and Tommy exchanged glares for a moment. After looking away they both agreed to disagree and stopped their verbal assaults.
"We start adding finishing touches next week, are you going to be ready?"
"Staying up all night on a diet of coffee and pizza," Jude sarcastically chirped. "Sounds like a great time to me."
"Fine," he shook his head. "I'll see you then."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jude walked into her house and threw herself onto the couch. After she grabbed the remote control she flipped on the television to a random station. Her usually smile wasn't on her lips and her eyes looked damp.
"What's a matter hun?" Her mother asked.
"G-Major drama."
"Care to talk about it?" She put down the letters in her hand and sat down by her daughter. "I always have an open ear."
"I finished up this really good song but Tommy isn't going to let me add it to the album. I understand why, with Darius and promotion and money, but I was just really proud of this song. It really meant something to me."
"I'm sorry Jude," she placed her arms around her daughter. "Is there anyway J-shaped pancakes could make it better?"
"It wouldn't hurt."
"I'll get on that right now," she stood up and walked into the kitchen.
The blonde haired singer let out a sigh which blew up the loose bangs of her hair from her forehead. "Why is my life filled with such drama?" she asked to herself.
"Because you're a member of the female species!" Sadie's voice echoed through the hallway.
"Thanks Sadie!" the younger sister replied playfully. "Is there any way that can change?"
Sadie made her into the living room and sat down. "For some odd reason I don't think Speed would like you as a guy."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
On a Monday I am waiting, Tuesday I am fading...into your arms, so I can breathe! Oooh, seems like I can finally rest my head on something real! I like the way that feels. Oooh, it's as if you knew me better than I ever knew myself, I love how you can tell! Oooh, I love how you can tell!
Jude was sitting back on the couch with Spiederman, Wally and Kyle listening to her finish up the song. All three boys looked in amazement as the singer strummed along with passion.
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of...me
She put down the guitar and bashfully smiled. "So...did you like it?"
Kyle looked over at Wally who then looked over at Speed.
"That was sweet!" Speed answered. "I'm glad you finished it up."
"Now all it needs is some heavy drums and a killer bass line!" Kyle interjected.
"I smell an awesome live performance on the road with this one." Wally stated. "A whole acoustic effect, you know, really get the crowd dancing."
"It's totally got the whole Jewel thing going on," Speed informed. "The chick with the guitar, singing about her awesome boyfriend."
"I wonder who that awesome boyfriend could be?" Kyle joked.
"Hey!" Speed childishly punched him in the arm.
"How did you guess the song was about Speed?" Jude asked.
"It was kind of a no-brainer dude," Wally blurted out playfully.
"What do you say we go out for ice cream?" Speed asked out of the blue. "I could totally use some double chocolate-chocolate covered banana pineapple sundae right now!"
"As good as that sounds, I'm still stuffed from the pizza dude," Kyle said.
"Me too dude," Wally rubbed his stomach.
"I could use some cookie dough ice cream with lots of whip topping!" Jude stood up, "and three cherries on top!"
"May I take your hand madame?" Speed jokingly put out his right hand.
"But of course," she placed her hand in his and the two walked out together.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The two walked together, guided by the streetlights. Both holding an ice cream cone in one hand, while their bare hands held each other. The streets were empty as a cool night breeze whipped through the evening.
"I really wanted to tell you..." Jude looked up at Speed. "About earlier today, with G-Major and Tommy, you know..."
"All the drama."
"Yeah, I wanted to really say, thanks for standing up for me."
"It's my job Jude," he reassured her. "You're my girlfriend, I have to be there for you. And the song was great, everything you do is great."
"Everything?" She drew out the word.
"Yeah, totally."
"Even when I'm mad because I missed my favorite show, which we wont name?"
"Well...almost everything," he laughed.
"Sounds good to me." She looked back up at him one more time. Jude noticed how the streetlights reflected in his dark eyes, how the golden shades highlighted his facial features. "You know Speed," she leaned her head into his chest, "without you today, I think I would've have just given up..."
"Jude, promise no matter how bad things get, you'll never give up music."
"As long as you promise to never give up on me."
Without words Speed leaned down into Jude, their lips meeting and holding place for a moment that seemed like an eternity. Speed came up and smiled at her, the remains from her ice cream hanging from the corner of his lip.
"I take that as a yes," she smiled before giving him another kiss.
Next Chapter
When The Stars Go Blue (seriously this time)