Author's Note

I'd just like to thank everyone who reviewed or is even reading this! I'm in love with the new song "Not Standing Alone"! It's awesome. I also have to confess..."Over-Rated" is starting to grow on me. I was listening to the lyrics very closely the other day and it doesn't totally blow. What do you all think of this seasons new music?

Disclaimer: I don't own or have anything to do with the song "Square One" by Coldplay.

Now, on with the story!

Sneaking into a house is more complicated than it sounds. Then again, my whole life's complicated. The simplest things can bring you down as quick as the instant microwavable mac and cheese, Easy Mac. Tripping over something stupid (A rug, the dog, my own foot...), feeling the urge to sneeze then once you blow you've realized you've not only knocked down the hall mirror hanging on the wall but also the pencil sharpener, lamp, and clock off the night-table, and of course theres the most popular! Walking in to find that your parents have already been waiting up for you for the past 2 hours.

"Jude, where have you been?" Victoria asked.

I about jumped out of my converse. "Jesus! Mom...I've been at the studio" I replied, yawning.

"This late?" my dad cut in.

I rolled my eyes. They always assume when I stay late at the studio that I'm doing something bad. And illegal. I think we all know what they assume I'm doing so I won't go into all that.

"Yes...Tom and I were finishing up my new song" I said. They were really starting to annoy me.

"11:30 is unacceptable, Jude" my dad said.

I leaned against the wall and groaned. He had no place to tell me what was acceptable and what wasn't. Your one to talk dad. Just because you live here still doesn't mean your still a father figure to me.

"No! What's unacceptable is the fact that you cheated on mom, then she has the decency to take you back, and then you go and try to be Mr. Mom!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

I think I pulled something. A throat muscle, if you will. Not good, nope not good at all. If my larynx is in anyway ruptured I will get my ass seriously kicked. Seriously! See what they made me do? They force there unsatisfactory, crappy parenting on me, which forces me to use the voice I perform with to yell the loudest I possibly can, which all in all will most likely result in me loosing my voice now. Perfect.

"I'm going to my room now!" I shouted, as I stomped up the stairs, purposely pounding on each step just to see how mad I could really get them.

"Your grounded!" I heard my so called father yell after me. He may ground me but that doesn't prevent me from doing something I want to do now does it. If I want to sneak out late at night and go party, I'll do it. If I get invited to some big event that is a social highlight of my youthful teen years, you can bet I'll be there. If I want to go have sex with someone, "I sure as hell will!" I shouted from my doorway as I slammed it shut.

It's times like these I wish I was a boy. No periods, no parents giving them crap, no having to worry about being the ones to carry the babies. Fathers speak to there sons like they would speak to a mut. "Go on! Go out there and show 'em how it's done! Shoo!" with a quick pat and eagerness there off.

I guess I should be grateful that I at least have a father. Some kids go all there lives without knowing who there parents are. Adoption is a really incredible concept when put into perspective.

All I know at this point is that I am going insane. "Tell me what to do...I don't care...stupid...I hate parents...stupid" I began to mumble. See, I told you. INSANE!

My guitar sat in the corner, staring at me. The one thing that's kept me sane for the past 10 years. The hallowed wood of my tortured soul. I picked it up and began to nonconsciencly hum a tune and sing along to it. "From the top of the first page, to the end of the last day. From the start in your own way..." Stop. I scribbled the words down on an old paper towel. "You just want somebody listening to what you say...it doesn't matter who you are..."

For the rest of the night I worked on the song, making it mine. So, by morning (even though it was Saturday) I could show it off to Tommy. Needless to say I fell asleep on the floor with my guitar on my stomach and my face smashed into my pillow.

"Jude...Jude? Juuuude..." my non-human sister crooned into my ear the next morning. At 8:30 I might add. "Up!" she exclaimed.

Was it really necessary to yell in my ear at the wee hours of the morning when my brain isn't even in process mode yet? I mean really. Sadie has no respect for anyone but herself. Heres an idea. The next time she goes on some hot date with a guy 20 years older than her, I'll throw on a straight jacket, run in on them, and yell, "Sadie! Mom said you would play with me after I got out of the institution!" Sounds good. I'll make a note.

"Uhh...Sadie" I groaned, covering my head with the nearest blanket, since I was on the floor.

"Up!" she proceded to yell again. And...here comes the speech. "I'm tired of seeing you either sleeping, eating, or doing something else useless with your life every time I'm home. People know I'm related to you, Jude. And if you keep playing this whole miserable-girl-with-a-guitar-act my social status will not only go down but it will crash and burn to the ground. I don't want that! I have a reputation to maintain. So please, for me, get up, get dressed, and do something! Anything. "she pleaded.

This is pathetic.

"Fine" I said. "I'll do something different to please you." You could practically feel the excitement radiating off her spray tanned body. "I'll have cereal instead of a pop-tart for breakfast" and with that I stumbled down the stairs and into the kitchen, making my way to the pantry.

"Jude, your father and I have agreed that your punishment for staying out to late and not bothering to call" Victoria emphasized."Is going to be re-instated."

"Yes" I said, making a fist and pulling it towards me. I opened the Lucky Charms and didn't bother turning around. I stuffed my mouth of dry cereal with my back facing my mom.

"Don't you want a bowl? Or milk?" I heard her ask.

"Mom, the point of eating the cereal out of the box is because I want it dry. Besides, you buy that skim milk that tastes like regular milk that's been mixed with water and pee." I crammed as much as physically could into my mouth.

"Jude!" she exclaimed. I was laughing a little to hard and almost choked on my Lucky Charms. Why was it such a big deal, what I said? I finally turned around to see why my mother was in shock of what I had said.

"Hmphk" I coughed and stomped my foot. I guess I thought it would help...

Tommy was smirking like the wierd cheshire cat off of Alice In Wonderland."I happen to like skim milk, Harrison."

"I was going to tell you to change before you blew me off and practically ran down the stairs" Sadie scoffed, flipping her hair as she entered the kitchen. "Now you have to stand there looking like a loser."

"Oh, thanks Sadie" I muttered, crossing my arms over my stomach. Standing in the kitchen with my mother, producer, and sister in Pink Panther boxers and an old wife-beater wasn't exactly a comfortable situation. I began to walk out of the kitchen so I could change. I stopped in front of Tommy. "Wipe that stupid smirk off your face!" I exclaimed.

I got halfway up the stairs and ran back into the kitchen. "Forgot my cereal..." I whispered then grabbed the box and took off.

The only good thing that this new day would bring was getting to show my new song to Tommy. And even that wasn't to anticipating. All I kept thinking as I made my way into my room was, "I hope he likes it...I hope he likes it..."