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

Episode 16 – Living is Simple

Part 1

The next day I wandered around the village and made my way to a pawn shop where I saw an acoustic hanging in the display. I holed up in my hotel and wrote and wrote and wrote only leaving for bathroom and coffee breaks. After the cash I had ran out I played in the park or on the sidewalk to earn some cash. I knew that if I used my credit card I could be found and I wasn't ready. I was walking past a place called the Bitter End and saw that they were having auditions for tonight's performance slot. I waited until my turn came up and started playing.

Part 2

After a month of being a regular I was approached after my set. He was attractive; a little over six feet tall with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. I thought he was hitting on me so I didn't pay much attention as I was finishing off my drink. "So I was wondering if you wanted to do a showcase for the record company" he was saying. I couldn't help it and started laughing. "What's so funny?" he asked with a quizzical look on his face. "Look" he said a little annoyed I'm about to give you your big break, your one shot at making music for real," he said. "This isn't real enough for you," I said pointing to my surroundings. "What you perform here a couple times a month and you're satisfied," he said. "I've heard you a couple of times and you're amazing, you shouldn't hide that from the rest of the world," he said seriously. "Anyways, here's my card if you change your mind," he said.

Part 3

I threw his business card in my guitar case where I had about a handful. It was time to find another secluded little spot to perform at and be anonymous. It was another month before I saw the young record studio guy who was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. I'll give him one thing, he was persistent. "Hey, long time no see," he said casually. I didn't say anything. "You know you're pretty hard to track down" he says. I continued to ignore him. "Okay, then," he said. I finished my drink and was about to leave when the band on the stage started playing and I heard his voice.

Part 4

I sat there transfixed. The emotion in his voice was overwhelming. Someone had seriously stomped on his heart. The next couple of songs were just as dark, but with a hint of humor or bitterness you take your pick. He finished the set with an upbeat song if you can call it that based on the songs he sang in the earlier set. "Hey, still here I see," he said taking a big gulp from the beer mug and wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

Part 5

"So, record exec by day and closet rocket by night," I said. "I'm not a record executive" he said. "I'm interning at the record label, so I can use their equipment at night free of charge, although if anyone ever saw me even touching the equipment I'll probably be fired" he said. "So the business card you gave me," I asked. "It's my bosses," he said with a sardonic grin. "I thought it'd be a good way to meet girls," he said with a wink. "But seriously you're really talented and I think my boss would sign you if he ever heard your songs," he said. "I'm Jake by the way," he said extending his hand. "I'm, umm Sadie," I said biting my lip. "What you forget your name," he said. "Must be my charm, haven't gotten any complaints from the ladies," he said. The bartender just scoffed at him. "Alright, Jackson, that's enough from the peanut gallery," he said. "You two know each other," I ask. "Yeah, he's my roommate," said Jake. "Someone's got to pay the bills," said Jackson.

Part 6

Meanwhile back in Toronto there was an unlikely group of allies sitting around the conference table. "Any word on Jude," said Georgia. "I found a note from her," said Tommy. "Tommy it's dated the day she disappeared" said Mrs. Harrison. "I know," he said. Jude's note stated she was fine, but didn't want to be found. "That's something at least" said E.J. with a frown on her face. "We should respect her wishes," said Tommy. "You're just giving up, then" said Georgia. "I'm giving her what she wants," said Tommy as he headed out the door.

Part 7

Tommy had rewritten the letter and forged Jude's signature. If he had actually produced the original letter she had left for him he would have been exiled; he deserved though, and he knew it. He played with the wedding ring on his finger and wondered if Jude was still wearing her ring wherever she was.

Part 8

(A few months had passed) Jake, Jackson, and Jude were sitting on the couch in Jackson's living room, since technically he was the only one paying rent and Jake was the friend crashing at his place who would never leave. There had been a Behind the Music marathon and a brand new episode was about to start. Jude went in to the kitchen to get a drink when she heard one of her songs coming from the TV. She sat fidgeting during the episode hoping that neither of them would resemble her uncanny resemblance minus the red hair. It was around 10 o'clock when she got up and said she was going. Jackson walked her out the door. They were both standing in the hallway and Jude was trying to quickly make her way to the elevator. It was closing when Jackson put his hand out to stop it and stepped in. "I'm not as dense as I look, Sadie, or should I say Jude" he said.

Part 9

We were sitting in a coffee house around the corner of his apartment. He was the first to speak. "I guess it would be an understatement to call you guarded to say the least," he said with a smile on his face. "I mean it took a while to even get you to hang out with us and for you to acknowledge us as your friends," he said. "So you ran away from your past" he said. "Big deal," he said. "So you won't tell him, then" I said. "He'll figure it out eventually," I said. "You give him way too much credit" he said.

Part 10

(A few days later) "I can't get over how much you look like that chick from that Behind the Music episode," Jake said munching on his bagel. "Yeah weird," said Jackson giving me a look. "What are we doing today guys," said Jake oblivious to the two of us. "I know why don't we got by MTV studios and make fun of whoever is the guest band today," he said. "You just wish that were you, admit it," said Jackson. "Can you imagine getting paid to do what you love, make music that the entire world can appreciate?" he says. "Sadie's passionate about music, but she likes to keep her music private," Jake says rolling his eyes. "Hey to each her own," Jackson says. "Always coming to the ladies defense," Jake says. "Someone has to with you constantly insulting me," I say punching him the shoulder. The three of us hopped on the N train to Times Square and started walking to the small island that was filled with about 100 people and one naked cowboy.

Part 11

As luck would have it Spiederman's band was on TRL that day being interviewed; they were the opening act for Fall Out Boy. Spiederman was outside fielding questions from the fans outside and made eye contact with me. "Crap," I muttered aloud. "Jude, hey" said Spiederman giving me a hug. "Hey" I said. Jackson made an excuse and dragged Jake along with him. I told him I was on vacation. "Jude, I heard from Jamie and everyone's really worried about you," he said. "I'm fine," I said. "Jude, you've been MIA for months and you're blonde for pete's sake" he said gesturing. "You look like you're incognito to me," he said. "If you hear from Jamie, tell him I'm fine, but don't tell him you saw me, okay" I said pleadingly. "Of course, I owe you if it weren't for you my band would have still been playing in my dad's garage," he said. "Just do me a favor and take care of yourself, okay" he said and gave me a hug. "I'll see you around Jude," he said.

Part 12

We were sitting in Jackson's apartment munching pizza when Jake exclaimed, "Oh my God you're that chick from that Behind the Music episode, aren't' you?" Jackson and I exchanged looks. "What like you knew Jackson," he said. "Yeah he did," I said. "And neither of you said anything to me?" he said. "I can't believe you're Jude Harrison," he said. "You were huge a couple years ago before your whole coma thing" he said. "Real sensitive, you idiot" said Jackson. "You had two multi-platinum albums, you were on every magazine, billboard, you name it. You own that record company Harrison-Quincy." he said a million miles a minute. "And you're married, why haven't you been wearing your wedding ring all this time?" he asked. All the memories I had been forcing myself to forget came flooding back and I had to get out of there. I found myself in Times Square and let myself get lost in the crowd and letting the sound of traffic numb my thoughts.

Part 13

It was well passed midnight when I made my way to my apartment. The great thing about the city is that it really is the city that never sleeps. There were still tons of people roaming the streets making their way to another bar or club. When I got there I saw Jackson and Jake sitting in my living room watching TV. "How did you two get in here" I asked. "Oh you know the whole credit card trick," said Jake. "Why didn't you ever invite us over to your place," said Jake. "I mean it's way nicer than Jackson's hole in the wall," said Jake. "I'm letting you stay in my hole in the wall for free, so I wouldn't be giving me crap if I were you," said Jackson. "Sensitive, geez" said Jake. "Wanna talk about it," said Jackson always the more sensitive of the two. "No really," I said. "That's cool," said Jake. "Are you sure," said Jackson. "Yeah" I said. "I'm going to sleep," I said and make my way to my bedroom. "That's cool we'll just hang out here," said Jake. "Actually we'll see you at breakfast," said Jackson pulling Jake off the couch. "Come on she has cable," Jake whined. "See you tomorrow guys," I said. "Alright, I can walk perfectly fine without your help" said Jake. "Okay, then" said Jackson shoving him out the door as I slid the bolt home.

Part 14

(next morning)
"I have to go back," I said. "Tired of our company, already" said Jake. Jackson just gave him a look. "Why don't you guys come with me?" I said. "I've got nothing better to do," said Jake. "Jackson, are you in?" I asked. "What the hell, I can get another bartending gig" he said.