6,800 hits.. woah.. and the reviews... Seriously? You people rock! Love.Love. Love.

I wasn't planning on updating until tomorrow, but after the response, it goes to show that you deserve something a bit extra.

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing, especially Diana, Rachel, Bailey, and of course Mel!

Now, enough talking, more story..

.17.


Secrets Don't Make Friends

You were always my enemy and carefully crafted my demise
Our hearts beat strong under fictitious skies
You were always my enemy, suck the life out of me
Your words are deadly weapons
Killing me, destroying me
Your words are deadly weapons
Scatter my brains across the wall
--From First to Last

"NO COMMENT!" Sadie shouted to reporters as she shoved her way to her front door.

"Ms. Harrison, aren't you an ex-girlfriend?"

"Sadie, how do you feel knowing your ex-boyfriend had your sister on the side?"

"Sadie, is it true that Samantha walked out after finding your sister and her husband locked up in a little love nest?"

Sadie shot a venomous look at whomever asked that question.

"GO AWAY!"

Sadie hurried into the house. She breathed a sigh of release once inside.

"Jude Diandra Harrison! Get your ass down here, right now."

Jude slumped down the stairs. She had been held up in her room since the day Tommy left. Darius had halted the completion of her album and the show until all drama was settled. He refused to have any more chaos disrupting his company. Not to mention, his partner was on a rampage. Apparently, Samantha had chosen that week to pick up one of Tommy's old habits. Portia had moved in with Sam, much to Kwest's chagrin.

" Look, I know life sucks. I know the media is having a field day with all this, but you need to get out of it and get to work. EJ has been calling all day. This needs to be handled. The press is running a muck out there. I would like to be able to get to work and school without battling a camera. P.s. Mom called. She wants answers."

"Where is she, anyway?" Jude asked.

"Don whisked her off to the Bahamas if you hadn't notice."

Jude was quiet. "What am I supposed to do Sadie?"

Sadie handed Jude her sweatshirt. "Claudia is waiting for you at Jamie's. You'll climb over his grandma's wall. They are going to take you over to G-Major."

"Fine. Let me go brush my teeth."

Jude looked hesitantly at Claudia and Jamie as she scooted into the back of Claudia's SUV. The three looked at each other.

"Hey Jude," Jamie greeted with a small smile.

"Hey," she replied weakly.

"How are you?" Claudia, asked pulling out of Mrs. Andrew's drive away.

"I'm okay." Jude was quiet for a moment. " Have you heard any--."

"He's in Europe, I think. He's in either Ireland or France. She's been arguing in French a lot," Claudia answered.

"She's--."

"She's a mess, Jude."

"Oh."

Jude snook into the back entrance of G-Major. She could hear reporters shouting questions at Claudia and Jamie. She was horrified to hear them asking about being locked in with Tommy. How did they know that?

Liam was the first person Jude saw. The Irishman escorted her to the main conference room. She passed Darius's office to hear him and Samantha in a heated confrontation. Jude was startled when the door swung open to reveal a disheveled Samantha.

Jude was taken back by the appearance of the woman. The normally classy woman wore fitted - torn jeans and a worn out Bon Jovi t-shirt. Her long dark hair fell in pig tails over her shoulders. Her brown eyes were hidden behind dark rimmed black glasses. It was the first time Jude saw her as a young woman in her twenties. Sam was barely older than Sadie. She suddenly found herself even more confused than normal.

"Conference room, now," Darius commanded. He pointed his finger for emphasis. Jude watched Sam roll her eyes. Who was this girl!

Magazine covers, articles, and transcripts were pinned across a board in the conference room. Each glared the words, " break up" "humiliation" "affair" and so on. Photos of Sam, Tommy, and Jude adorned each of them.

Jude felt sick again. It was amazing what could happen within a short time. She should not have expected anything less. Samantha was still a big name. Tommy had always been a tabloid fixture. And MTV had made her a star. The anticipation for her next album was mind blowing. Jude wondered for a minute if it would be the same if the "scandal" hadn't broke out.

"The press that has been centered on Jude has not been pleasant. Jude's being painted a Lolita home wrecker. We need to fix this."

EJ stood up. "Which is why we are putting you on an education campaign. You'll be touring some schools, sitting in a few elementary school music classes. We want to turn all this negative into positive. We are really luck for the late school schedule! Also, you will take part in a couple of benefits for Music Helps."

"What do I do when they ask me about Tommy?"

"Tell them he's your producer and friend. His marriage is not your business," Darius replied.

"We'll be issuing a press release within the hour," EJ announced.

Jude nodded. She really could not think of anything else to say. She was too tormented with her own thoughts.

Jude decided to take a walk around the studio once Darius and EJ had, had they say. She wasn't sure where Jamie and Claudia were. She had a feeling that Claudia was more than likely writing the press release. Jaime was probably off with Liam.

Jude found herself standing outside of studio G. She observed Samantha as she fiddled with the soundboard.

There was something different about her. She was no longer the Wicked Witch of the West, the one that stole Tommy, or the rock goddess, she was simply Samantha. And Samantha was miserable. Jude felt a wave of guilt. Sam was a mess and she was a part of the reason why. A part of her told her to screw it. Tommy had been hers until Samantha showed up. Another part of her whispered that Tommy had always been Sam's. He married her.

With all the courage she could muster, Jude stepped into the studio. Jude was surprised to hear her song, "Liar, Liar" playing.

Samantha heard the door open. She knew Jude was behind her. She didn't care. She chose to ignore her guest and continued to mix the song. Samantha was haunted by the song. As insignificant as it was compared to the other songs, it meant everything to Sam. It was no secret that Tommy was Jude's muse. This song only reaffirmed it.

"I'm sorry," Jude whispered once the song had ended.

"No. You're not," Samantha replied, re-playing the song for the 16th time.

"Yes, I am. I really am," Jude repeated. She pushed her hair behind her ears, nervously

"No, you're not. You know how I know you aren't? This song. This song confirms everything. Don't lie to me, Jude."

Neither girl said anything. Samantha sealed the song and pushed away from the board.

"Kwest will finish the last song. You'll start on it tomorrow. We should have everything mixed by the end of this week and ready for the final step. You'll be filming the last song without the camera crew. We'll have something more personal set up for you."

Sam moved to walk out the door.

"I'm sorry I love him," Jude blurted out. She clamped her hand over her mouth. She had not meant to say that out loud.

Samantha turned and looked at her for the first time. "Me too."

Samantha slammed the door of the studio. She hurried to her office. She could feel the tears wanting to fall. How the hell had life gotten so damn messy?

She wasn't looking where she was going when she collided into Liam.

"Sam?" he inquired. Concern was etched in his voice and face. He followed her into her office. She did not want to cry in front of Liam. Her tears were her own.

"Is this where you tell me I told you so?" She snapped. She attempted to fight the tears now streaming down her face. " I am so stupid, Liam. I let him do this to me again. The groupie was one thing. I understand the rules of the road just fine, but a little girl? I should have listened to everybody. I am so damn stupid. I love him, Liam! He's humiliated me and I fucking love him, regardless of it."

Samantha took off her wedding ring and chucked it at the wall.

" I am twenty-two years old. I am an award winning musician. I am college educated. I have the greatest band ever. I've walked red carpets. I've done amazing things for someone my age. Yet, here I am standing in the office of my record label falling to pieces over a cheating son of a bitch who wouldn't even have a G.E.D if it hadn't been for me. He wouldn't even have the reputation he has if it hadn't been for my father. I should have left him the car crash he was. Look at me, Liam! I don't drink! I've gone through so many bottles of booze lately. I'm a mess and it is all my fault!"

Liam could not stand it any longer. He strode across the office and planted one hell of a kiss on Samantha. If Samantha wasn't in love with her husband she would have kissed him back. If she wasn't in love with her husband, she may have had her wicked way with Liam right there on her desk. But Samantha was in love with Tommy. When she said her vowels she was silly enough to have meant them.

"The only idiot is Tom Quincy. He is the biggest idiot I have ever known if he really has to take time to choose between you and Jude."

Samantha backed away from Liam. She picked up her keys and purse from her desk and walked out the door without a look back.