A/N: I don't own Instant Star. Reviews are always welcome.
Episode 18 – You Don't Mean Anything
Part 1
After walking past the post office and numerous mailboxes for about a month, Jude walked into the post office. She was debating whether to get off the line when the little light went off. "Hi can I help you," said the postal worker. "Yeah, I'd like to mail this," I said. She applied the stamp and waited for me to fish the money out of my wallet. She was waiting for me to give her the envelope. I slowly handed it to her and couldn't make myself let go. "Is everything alright, miss?" she asked concerned. "Yes, of course," I said. I forced myself to let go of the envelope I had been clutching for dear life for several minutes before finally relinquishing it. I got out of the post office and sat slumped against the steps. It was finally over, but it didn't feel like it. I could still feel the sharp pain in my chest even now as I walked away from and got in my car. It was hard to forget Tommy.
Part 2
Jude and Jake working together in the studio became a constant fixture. They were working together at all hours of the day, heads close together pouring over some lyrics or chords. "Jude as much as I love spending time with you I have a favor to ask you," Jake said al serious. "Sure," I said. "Can you maybe ask E.J. out for me?" he asks. "I was wondering when you were going to ask?" I said. "What do you mean, I thought I'd been playing it pretty cool?" he asked. "Oh right, pretend that I haven't heard you practice conversations with her with Jackson," I said. "Oh you overheard those," he says. "Just ask her out," I say encouragingly. "I can't speak two words in front of her without looking like an idiot" he says. "What, are you shy!" I teased. "Please," he said. "Alright, I'll put in a good word for you," I said. Little did he know that E.J. had been impatiently waiting for weeks for him to ask her out and was thrilled when I told her the news.
Part 3
Somehow Jake had suckered both me and Jackson to go on his date with E.J. E.J. pulled me into the bathroom after we got seated to a table. E.J. had an annoyed look on her face and was about to say something when I spoke up, "He really likes you and he's nervous, so he thought it would be a good idea if we accompanied you guys as back up." Our presence didn't help as much as he'd hope though seeing as how he spilled wine all over her and Jackson and I were the only ones laughing at his really lame jokes. I mean really lame jokes. We barely made it out of there alive. Jackson and I were sitting on the couch of our apartment waiting for Jake's return as he chivalrously offered to see E.J. to her door. "God that was awful," I said to Jackson. "I thought you two were practicing," I said to him. "Oh, so you know about that," he said. "You're E.J. voice is pretty good have you ever thought about bringing that on the road," I said. "Real funny Jude" he said. Jake came in and sat slumped on the couch. "Guess it didn't go well," Jackson said. "Yeah, sorry Jake" I said. Just then he had the biggest smile on his face. "Actually she kissed me good night and then told me next time not to bring you two" he said as he walked into his room humming. "Wow" Jackson said. "I guess anything's possible" I said.
Part 4
It was impossible not to run into Tommy while at the studio. Our run-ins were awkward and involved both of us looking for the nearest exit. "It's not healthy you know" said Kwest. "What" I said. "You two running out of the room anytime both of you are in it at the same time," he said. "I don't…" I said. "Come on Jude" he said. "Fine, I admit it" I say. "Kwest can you give him these for me," handing him a small pouch. He opened it up and two rings dropped on his palm. "Jude I'm not giving the man back your wedding ring or this other one," he said. "I'm sorry," he said putting the rings back in the pouch and handing it to me. "I understand Kwest," I said.
Part 5
Against my better judgment I decided to ask Jackson to do it. I was in the middle of working with Jake on a new song he had penned for E.J. when I heard a commotion outside and saw Tommy and Jackson pummeling each other in Tommy's office. Tommy's desk was in pieces and the two of them were kicking and punching each other until the two of them were separated by several staff members. Tommy's nose was bleeding and Jackson's right eye was starting to turn purple. "Next time don't send your boyfriend to do your dirty work," Tommy said angrily. "And you can have these back. I. DON'T. WANT. THEM," he said hurling the pouch towards me. Everyone started clearing the office until it was just me and Tommy. "I. DON'T. WANT. THEM. EITHER," I said hurling it back towards him. "And even if I was going out with Jackson, it's none of your business. Not anymore," I said. "So you two aren't…" he said before getting up and kissing me unexpectedly. I couldn't help myself and kissed him with all the longing and pain I felt before realizing what was happening and pushed him hard away from me. "What the hell was that," I said angrily pushing him harder until he was sprawled on the floor. "We're over." I said my voice trembling. "Are you sure Jude?" he said. "Look me in the eye and say it again," he said. I looked up and said, "It's over, Quincy." "Then why did you kiss me back?" he said. I didn't want to hear anything else he had to say and ran out of the studio with tears blurring my vision.
Part 6
Kwest was picking up the pieces of Tommy's broken desk. "Jude asked me to give you the rings, man. I said no. Maybe I should have said yes," said Kwest. "Tommy are you even listening to me," Kwest said. Tommy was in world far far away reliving every moment, every detail of his kiss with Jude. "She kissed me back, Kwest" Tommy said. "She still loves me," Tommy said. "That may be true, but it might not be enough," Kwest said. "I mean first her dad cheats on her mom, and then Shay cheated on her, and then you cheated on her twice, being with Sadie and then with Portia. She fled the country for God's sake and disappeared off the face of the Earth" Kwest said. "I haven't forgotten Kwest," Tommy said. "Neither has she," said Kwest in a serious tone. "You seriously broke that girl's heart," Kwest said. "Maybe you should stay away from her, Tommy" Kwest said. "Kwest I love her. And she loves me" said Tommy. "Tommy I'm asking you to stay away from her," said Kwest. "What are you gonna make me Kwest?" Tommy said in a mocking tone. "Tommy we've been friends a long time man. I'm asking you as your friend to leave Jude alone. She needs to recover. Her heart was pretty fragile when she left, a little less broken when she came back, and now you've obliterated it again with your little stunt today. Just let her be, man." The words were starting to sink into Tommy. "I don't know if I can do that. I can't let her go." said Tommy who was slumped in his chair. "Sometimes you have to let them go for them to come back," said Kwest.