A/N: I don't own Instant Star. Reviews are always welcome.

Episode 3 - Family Portrait

Part 1

My tutoring sessions with Shay became a daily occurrence much to the annoyance of Eden. I was getting crazy busy with all the endorsements. Soon it was hard to walk down the street without seeing myself on a billboard or plastered on a bus. Even with all the fame it seemed like the kids at school had 3 attitudes towards me: ignorance, anger, or awe, so basically nothing had changed since I won Instant Star. It was still me, Jamie, and Kat, or "Jat" a la Brangelina as I now call them, against the world. I was getting really far behind in my school work with no free time in sight for the next I don't know rest of my life. So it wasn't that big of a deal when Darius and Shay convinced me to ditch the school scene and get a tutor to help me complete my GED. Jamie and Kat were disappointed, although I saw them more often now that I had my own place than when I saw them at school. "Jude, why do you keep fighting it," Shay says exasperated. "People like you and me are not normal, we're meant for something more," he says. "Take it down a notch Tony Robbins," I say with a laugh attempting to do the single eye brow raise and failing miserably. "Girl, you know you look ridiculous, right?" Shay says with one eye brow raised. "So whose my tutor anyway?" I say. "I am actually," says a voice coming from the door.

Part 2

"Hey, aunt Portia," Shay says and gives his aunt a hug. "So you did what you set out to do, huh?" Portia says. "What?" I say. "You made good music and you did it on your own terms," she says with a knowing smile. "Oh that. You know I never got a chance to say thank you for helping me land the cover of Solid magazine," I say. "You earned that Jude," she says. "God, if you girls hug now I'm actually going to lose my lunch right on your floor, Jude," Shay says mockingly. Portia and Jude both glare and Shay and they both start laughing. "Yeah this is getting a little too weird for me, I'll see you both later," Shay says and makes his exit. "So…" we both say at the same time and start laughing again. "You first," I say. "You've really been a good influence on my nephew," she says. "Shay's been a good friend," I say carefully. "Jude, I know you've had a tough time lately, but I'm not some spy sent by my brother, Darius. Let's just set that straight. Plus I get to see Darius and Shay more often now that I'm going to be tutoring you," Portia says. All of a sudden I felt homesick for my father and mother and even for Sadie. Portia saw the look on my face and I could tell she regretted what she just said. "I'm sorry Jude; I know you must miss your family." I couldn't help but break down in front of Portia and tell her everything. Portia just listened and comforted me when Shay walked in and saw the two of us on the floor crying. "Women," he says. He then carried both of us off the floor, dumped us on the couch, brought a tissue box for each of us, and placed 2 unopened containers of ice cream, and set down two spoons. "You two look terrible," he says with a wink. Portia and I just ignore him and start digging into the ice cream.

Part 3

As my relationships with my parents continued to deteriorate I found myself confiding more and more with Shay and Portia and felt a growing distance between myself and Jamie and Kat. I just didn't have time for anything other than working on my album and doing interviews and commercials.

After heated debates with my parents about my career and discussion with Shay and Portia about it, I had a sit down with my parents and talked to them about becoming emancipated. "I don't see any other choice. I don't wanna be another reason for you two to fight," I say close to crying. "I've made my decision and I need you to sign the papers," I say with a catch in my voice. My parents signed the papers without even looking at me and just left my apartment. I did the only think I could after they left. I picked up my guitar and just lost myself in the music.

Part 4

I wont deny, I faked it
don't wanna lie, I'm jaded
I wanna scream, Inside I'm breaking down
I've left the stone, I was under
I'm running home, you won't find her
She walks alone, all through this broken town
Going the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I bleed
(just look, look)
Looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
Cause I don't see me

Georgia, Tommy, and Kwest are so absorbed in my song that they don't realize that I've finished playing. Georgia walks into the booth and she brings me to her office. "Wow, Jude, I don't know what to say," she says with concern. "I had no idea how hard it's been for you these past couple of weeks. You know you can always talk to me, right?" she says. "Thanks Georgia," I say a little embarrassed. Georgia can't help herself and gives me a hug. "I've been getting a lot of these lately," I say with a smile. Georgia hugs me even more after that confession. "Um Georgia, I can't breathe," I say. "Oh sorry Jude" she says. "Thanks for the talk Georgia," I say as I walk out the door. As Jude walks out of the office Georgia starts to regret never having kids, but is grateful to have both Jude and Tommy in her life. "Tommy" she says. She never did get him to tell her what happened over the summer. Actually between Jude and Tommy she couldn't get a single thing out of either of them. And for once in her life E.J. was completely clueless as to what happened as well.