A/N: I don't own Instant Star. Reviews are always welcome.
Episode 8 – Untitled
Part 1
It was business as usual at G Major and everyone was at the conference room for a meeting. Jude and Tommy were both staring into space recalling their little rendezvous. "She was basically offering herself to me on a silver platter and what do I do, but shuffle her into her room and take off," Tommy thought to himself. Jude was frustrated. "What else can I do besides chain him to the bed, the possibilities," she thought to herself. Meanwhile Darius had been addressing the two of them and was passing out copies of a gossip rag. "Tommy, Jude, you two have anything to say for yourselves about these pictures," Darius said. Tommy and Jude suddenly jerked awake thinking about their encounter in the pool. They both audibly sighed when they saw a couple of pictures of them dancing in the club. "We were just…," I started to say meanwhile Tommy spoke out, "Jude and I…" E.J. jumped and said, "Jude was just initializing the plan we came up with together. Yeah so, we thought since Tommy and Jude were working on their albums it'd be a good idea if the two of them were seen at all the hot spots together to spark some interest on their respective albums." I mouthed thank you to E.J. and proceeded to kick Tommy under the table. "Yeah, D, we also thought it'd be a good idea to work on a duet for Jude's album," Tommy said. "I was also thinking we could do some promotional secret concerts working with conjunction with the radio stations," I added warming up to our little charade. Darius was turning the ideas in his mind and immediately said, "I love it, just keep me informed next time." The meeting continued and I was more than happy when it finally finished that I practically ran out of there.
Part 2
Tommy and Kwest were deep in conversation in the recording booth. "So, you and Jude, huh," Kwest says. "We were just blowing off some steam," Tommy said with a shrug. "A picture's worth a thousand words, my friend," Kwest says with a smirk. I walk into the booth, "So, what are you guys talking about?" I ask. "We're trying to figure out what to get you for your birthday," Tommy says. Kwest just looks at him; Tommy gives him another look and says, "Right, what do you get the girl who has everything?" I happily droned on about everything I ever wanted for my birthday since I was 2. "So having a big bash this year Jude?" Kwest asks. "No, I told Georgia I wanted it to be low key this year and to go all out next year for my 18th," I say. "Besides I kind of want to avoid a repeat of last year's festivities," I say.
Part 3
The next morning I find myself unceremoniously dragged from my bed and brought to a diner with Jamie and Kat. After a much needed cup of coffee, the three of us were happily munching on pancakes. After breakfast, the three of us went back to my apartment to open presents. Dad and Yvette had gotten me a charm bracelet with a little guitar charm to start me off. Mom, not wanting to be outdone got me a necklace I had been eyeing. Sadie had sent me a black leather jacket from Italy. Kat had designed a Jude-esque dress for me that would look killer with my new jacket. Jamie had gotten me a vinyl I had been searching for to add to my record collection. Everyone at the studio had chipped in to give me my second Gibson, a red one this time. The day was coming to a close and I was trying not to be even more disappointed than I had been most of the day because I hadn't heard from Tommy all day. "Well, I asked for a drama-free birthday and I got it," I said. "He better have a good excuse for ditching me on my birthday," I grumbled to myself. It was 11:59 and I had just put the covers over my head when I heard a faint knock on the door.
Part 4
When I opened the door Tommy was standing there holding a cupcake with a single lit candle. H was waiting for me to invite him in and was growing more impatient by the second. I just stood there and put my hand on my hips and mustered a pout with as much indignation as possible given I was standing there wearing a faded ACDC t-shirt and pink Powerpuff girls pajama bottoms. He couldn't take the waiting and thrust the cupcake towards me, "Quick, Harrison, make a wish and blow out the candle before your birthday is officially over," He said. I humored him, waiting to see where all this was headed.
"So you gonna let me in," he asks. "Depends," I say back. "Did you get me a present(s)," I emphasize the last part. He hands me a package, which I rip open with glee. "It's a calendar," I say unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. "And a used one at that," I say with disgust. "For the record, most calendars start with January, Quincy," I say. "And they don't usually end on my birthday of next year," I say. "Okay, he says opening his other hand, "open up your real present." "Thank God, Quincy, because if that had seriously been my real present I would have made your life hell," I teased. I took my time opening this one, it being my real present and all. When I opened it, it contained a smaller box. "This isn't one of those boxes that just contains a smaller box that goes on forever, is it?" I say. "Just open it Harrison, you're impossible," he says. Inside was a ring. My eyes were transfixed on the ring as I slowly turned it in my hands; the ring had two hands clasping a heart surmounted by a crown. "It's a claddagh ring. It symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and love," He says softly. "Worn on your right hand with the heart facing outwards shows the world that your heart has not yet been won. Worn on the right hand with the heart facing inwards and it shows you have friendship and love under consideration. But worn on your left hand with the heart turned inwards it means two loves have joined forever." I looked at the inside and noticed that it was engraved with the numbers 11:59 and the date. "The calendar is basically a countdown to when we can be together," he said. When I frowned he added, "I mean in the biblical sense, Harrison. Besides orange isn't really my color," he said with a smile in his voice. "Come here, jailbait!" I said my voice slightly trembling I tugged on the front of his shirt and kissed him. It was just as I remembered it when he kissed me on my 16th birthday, only it was more. To describe it would be like describing a volcano erupting, waves crashing against the shore, fireworks bursting in the air; it was in a word, amazing. He put his hand on my hips and pulled me closer to him while my arms deftly snaked around his shoulders and made their way to his hair. Before we knew it we were on couch with Tommy on top. When I started to tugging off his shirt he gently took my hands in his. "Jude," he groaned. "Right, sorry," I said breathlessly. When the two of us disengaged and caught our breaths he said, "This is a good couch," as if noticing it for the first time. "So I've been told Quincy, so I've been told," I say mischievously.