Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star.

Chapter 21: Help me if you can

I came into G Major, late, with Tommy Jr. in tow. "Sorry I'm late, Georgia."

Georgia just shook her head. "Um, no problem."

I continued my way farther into the lobby.

Kwest was in Studio A. "Oh hey, Jude."

"Hi…" I replied. He knew, everyone knew. They had to.

Sadie had been behind me the whole time. I turned around and handed Tommy Jr. to her. "Can you handle him right now? You can let him down and walk around if he wants."

"Sure thing, Sis." Even she had the sad tone that everyone did.

I walked around the lobby, not knowing what else to do.

"Jude," EJ called from the entrance. "You've got to see this." She handed me a tabloid.

"'Split down the center.' Great. Now I've got the tabloids on my ass for breaking off the engagement."

"Price of fame, Sweetie." She turned around and walked off.

"Jude!" Georgia yelled to me. "Stephanie Cruner from the WB is here."

"Thanks, Georgia." I walked over to Ms. Cruner and shook her hand. "Hello there, Ms. Cruner."

"Hello again, Ms. Harrison. Let's have a seat."

"Okay then." We sat down next to each other.

"So I've heard about the break up. Is it too bold to ask why?"

"No, it's not too bold. He, um, went on another tour and one night when I called him, there was a woman in the background."

"Ouch, that must've hurt."

"Guys will never learn."

"So the break-up is final?"

"As far as I'm concerned. I've given him enough chances."

"In that case, I'm sorry to inform you that we're going to have to cancel the movie deal."

I nodded. "I understand. The story has gone under…"

"I'm afraid it has."

"Well, thank you anyways." We both stood, and I shook her hand before she walked off.

"Jude," Kwest said to me. "Shay's here to see you."

"Thanks, Kwest," I replied. I walked over to Shay and said, "Hey."

"Hey, Jude," he answered. "C'mon, let's talk outside."

"Okay." I followed him outside and we sat on the curb.

"How are you doing since the break-up?"

"I'm okay, he deserved it."

"You've seemed to take all this in stride. Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm okay really."

"You can't fool me, Jude."

I paused, tears starting to form in my eyes. I threw my arms around him and cried onto his shoulder. "I'm not okay."

He locked me in a hug. "I had a feeling that you weren't."

"I just don't understand it."

"Understand what?"

"Why he didn't love me…"

"He did."

"Then why did he run off whenever he could? Why did he move onto other girls whenever he had the chance?"

"Guys are stupid, Jude, they just are."

"He didn't love me. I know he didn't. He wouldn't have even come back to me if I didn't have a kid."

"Don't tell yourself that."

"It's true though."

"No, it's not. Tommy is stupid for not wanting you. You're perfect." He kissed my forehead gently.

"Thanks, Shay."

"Forget about Tommy."

AN: Poor Jude. Anyways, R&R! P.S. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanzaa!