A/N – You guys did it! I got my reviews and I love all you guys!
Here's Part 2 of The Party. Hope you guys all love it! I know it was fun to write!
Leave me some love!
-JQ-
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Chapter Six : Picture from a Storybook
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Jude's eyes widened at the sight in front of her. In the dim lighting, she could finally see that the two of them were in a conference room connected to a small business office. An elegant, black grand piano took up most of the room and red rose petals were littering the entire floor.
Tom was seated at the piano, a grin plastered on his face as he began to play a familiar tune. His soft voice filled the room, enveloping Jude in a sense of safety.
If I was drowning in the sea
Would you dive right in and save me?
If I was falling like a star
Would you be right there to catch me?
If I was dreaming of your kiss
Mmm, would you look right through me?
On the street I'm waiting
In my heart it's raining
Your eyes are holding up the sky
Your eyes make me weak I don't know why
And baby your eyes make me scared to tell the truth
I thought my heart was bulletproof
Now I'm dancing on the roof
And everybody knows, I'm into you
Mmm, I'm into you
If my heart was sadder then a song
Would you still listen?
If my tears fell on you one by one
Would you see them glisten?
On the street I'm waiting
And in my heart it's raining
Your eyes are holding up the sky
Your eyes make me weak I don't know why
And baby your eyes make me scared to tell the truth
I thought my heart was bulletproof
Now I'm just dancing on the roof
Every single thing you say
Makes me wanna run away
Sometimes loves rainy day
But life goes on
Your eyes are holding up the sky
Your eyes make me weak I don't know why
And baby your eyes make me scared to tell the truth
I thought my heart was bulletproof
But I'm just dancing on the roof
And everybody knows, I'm into you
Everybody knows, I'm into you
I'm into you, I'm into you
I'm into you
As Tom finished the final note, he looked up at Jude, his eyes fixed on hers. The music faded slowly and left them with a momentary silence.
"Wow," she choked out, swallowing hard.
"Did you like it?" he asked softly, not trusting his voice. She nodded, unable to speak. He smiled at her. "Good."
Jude finally broke eye contact and looked around the room, trying to absorb everything. "You did this all for me?"
"This isn't everything." Tom stood and reached out for her hand. She grabbed it wearily, a slight smile on her mouth. "Follow me."
Tom pulled a black bandana out of his back pocket, dangling it in front of her eyes. "For me?" she asked. "But what about my hair?" He shrugged and threw the bandana behind him. She chuckled and closed her eyes, covering them with her hands.
Tom reached out and touched her shoulders, steering her toward a door in the back.
"Where are we going?" she giggled.
"You'll see," he answered simply.
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"Has anyone seen Jude lately?" Speid questioned, standing on his tiptoes to look for her.
"Dude, whatever happened with you guys?" Wally asked, chugging his sparkling grape juice.
"Nothing. We just broke up. Don't worry. The band's fine," Speid muttered. Without even a sideways glance, he added, "So, Jamester, where'd Kat go?"
"I told you, she was just saying 'hello.' She and Jude aren't talking right now."
"So, why was she here?" Kyle raised his eyebrows. Jamie just shrugged.
"Seriously, dudes! Where's Jude?" Speid insisted, still on the lookout.
"Last I saw, she was going into a conference room." The four boys looked at Kwest, who was taking a quick break from DJ'ing to sip his water bottle. "Might've needed a little air?"
Speid perked up. "Should we go find her?"
"No," Kwest shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "She obviously needed to be alone."
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"Okay, you can open your eyes," Tom said from behind her. Jude pulled her hands away from her face and a small gasp escaped her lips.
"Tommy…" she breathed, taking everything in.
They were in a small office that had been cleared of all work. Instead of papers and invoices, the desks were covered in candles. Every shape and size, they cast a soft glow on everything in the room, including Tom's face. He was staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face.
A trail of rose petals led over to the main desk, where a small present lay wrapped. Jude stepped over to it, picking it up carefully, turning back to Tom. "For me?"
Tom smiled slowly. "For you." He stood behind her as she unwrapped it, revealing a small red box. She glanced up at him expectantly. "Open it."
Pulling off the lid and setting on the desk, she gasped and her empty hand touched her heart. "Tommy, it's beautiful."
Inside, a delicate silver necklace was resting against deep blue velvet. A small charm dangled from the chain, shaped like a 'J' and a 'T' inside a heart.
"I love it," she murmured. "Help me put it on?"
Jude held the necklace over her shoulder for Tom. He grabbed it while she pulled her hair out of the way. Draping it tenderly around her neck, he clasped it, his hands drifting down her shoulders and arms.
"All set."
Jude turned around gradually and faced Tom. "I love it. Thank you."
"Anything for you, girl," he whispered, staring deep in her eyes. She licked her lips nervously, inhaling sharply. "You look beautiful, tonight, Jude…I forgot to tell you that…"
Tom leaned in, his thumbs caressing her arms gently. "I…I…should go," she muttered. "Everyone's probably waiting for me."
Before Tom could respond, Jude was already out the door. He collapsed against the desk, burying his face in his hands and groaning.
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Jude breathed deep, trying to calm herself down. Her hand automatically went to the necklace and she felt tears begin to prick at her eyes. She sniffled, not wanting the tears to ruin her makeup--Portia would flip.
Jude left the conference room, entering the main room filled with people she wasn't even sure she knew. She made a beeline for the bar, which was as close to empty as she was going to get.
"What can I get for you, Miss Harrison?" the bartender asked politely.
"Water, please," she ordered, still kind of flustered. Her brain wasn't quite processing everything that had just happened yet.
"Coming right up!" She leaned forward on the bar, trying to look as natural as possible.
"Want to dance?" a familiar voice asked from behind her.
Jude spun around. "Tommy…"
"So…do you want to?" he asked again, his usual grin on his face.
She returned his smile. "Sure." She held out her hand and he grasped it lightly. She followed him out into the center of the dance floor.
The final chords of "My Sweet Time" faded as "Time to Be Your 21" started to play. Jude chuckled under her breath and wrapped her arms around the back of Tom's neck. He put his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Taking a deep breath, she settled into his body, resting her head on his chest.
The two of them swayed in time together, Jude humming the tune under her breath and remembering her inspiration for this song.
The song had originally been a present for Shay, when he got back from his tour for her party. But then he had come back with Eden. And Tom had kissed her. And she was even more screwed up than before.
But this song had fixed everything--at least in her mind. And it would always be one of her favorites.
Jude's memory faded and she looked up at Tom, who was smiling down at her. The words of her song flooded her ears.
Time to be your only one
To almost be you're way too young
Time to crash into the sun
Time to be your 21
Time to dream that love will last
Time to drive my car too fast
Time to walk before I run
Time to be your 21
Time to be your 21
"Almost," she whispered, barely audible.
"What?" Tom asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Nothing," she smiled. "It's nothing…"
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A/N - Party ends next time! I want 80 reviews, please, before I post! So, leave me some love and you'll find out what happens at the rest of the party. I promise, the best is yet to come. Ever hear of 'Third time's the charm'?
Love,
JQ