What are you doing here? Chapter 3, an instant star fanfic

Everything starts rushing back to me and I remembered that Mason and I were going to see Faith Hill and Tim McGraw later. I crawl out of bed and stumble downstairs in my pjs and messy hair. I walk into the kitchen and get a very surprised look from Mason and Des.

Me: What?

Mason: isn't it a little early for you?

Des: yea Jude its still morning

Me: leave me alone

I give them a little pout and Mason hands me a cup of coffee.

Me: Did you ever know that you're my hero

Mason just laughs at me while I sip my coffee just the way I like it black with a lot of sugar and I mean a lot… yummmm. Then the two new couples walk in with starbucks in their hands and I get upset.

Me: You went to starbucks and didn't wake me.

Sadie: Jude have you ever tried waking a person like you?

Me: what is that supposed to mean?

Molls: it means none of us that have ever tried waking you up before are ever ever going to try it again.

Me: why?

Des: because you tend to be violent

He tells how he tried to wake me up when we were 14 and I punched him in the face and broke his nose.

Me: wait you told me you got into a fight with one of the kids down the street.

Des: I was a little embarrassed

Me: sorry

Then I notice the weird look mike was giving me.

Me: what?

Mike: so you're just always violent huh?

Me: excuse me?

Mike: you always like to beat up people I guess

Mason steps in: Jude you should start getting ready because we need to leave at like 1

Me: why? The concert doesn't start until 8

Mason: just do it

Me: not until you tell me why

Mason just grabs my hand and drags me upstairs and tells me to get ready again.

Me: FINE I'm goin

I get in the shower and start to get ready

DOWNSTAIRS

When mason comes downstairs he notices Mike and Molly are gone and Kwest, Sadie, and Des are sitting in the living room. Kwest notices mason come in.

Kwest: mason what do you have up your sleeve?

Mason: nothing

Kwest: uh-huh

Mason: so that guy that was with Jude's cousin

Des: Mike, Molly's new boy-toy

Mason: yeah anyways what's his problem?

Sadie: he's Tommy's brother, I guess he's mad at jude for beating the shit out of tom

Mason: what?

Des: Yeah you missed it was pretty awesome… you know near the end of Ten Things I Hate About You?

Mason: Yeah what about it?

Kwest: well Jude reenacted it for us on Tom

Mason just laughs.

Sadie: except I don't think mike is finding it very funny

Des: so… why does she need to be ready so soon?

Mason: You'll find out when we come back

BACK TO JUDE

I get out of the shower and blow dry my hair. I go over to my closet. I have a hard time figuring out what to wear and finally decided on a short denim skirt, a simple white t-shirt which had country girl written on it with the John Deere logo on it, my cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. When I was satisfied I did my make up and went downstairs.

Me: Mason you ready?

He came out in his usual get up: Of course my dear

Me: Ok then let's go.

We say our goodbyes and go outside to the limo. As I start to get in the limo I see little Zoë playing outside with Mike and Molly and I just smile to myself. Molly sees that mason and I are leaving and gives me a wave so I wave back. We get in the limo I look at the clock on my phone its only 12:45.

Me: mason?

Mason: Yes jude?

Me: why did we have to leave so early?

Mason: well D kinda had another reason for the concert

I give him a look: what are you talking about?

Mason: Well I was expecting you to ask me at some point who the opening act was but you didn't

Me: Mason Fox you need to explain yourself right this moment

Mason moves away from me knowing he will get hurt.

Me: Mason?

Mason: D kinda arranged it so that you'd be opening for them… just for tonight though

Me: Are you kidding? I mean I don't have my band I… although it is like a dream come true…

Mason: they have a set list for you and the band already knows what to play and I was thinking maybe you'd like to sing something new too go acoustic on it of course.

Me: wow… that's all I can say right now is… wow

Mason: I know

After sitting in silence for a little while we arrive at the arena. Before I get out Mason grabs my arm.

Me: what

Mason: youre also gonna join Faith when she sings "Lucky One"

He lets me go and I just try to process everything as I walk in backstage. As I am walking I'm bombarded by the tour crew.

Man #1: Jude heres your set list

Man #2: Jude, we need you over here.

Man #1: we need to go over her set list first

I feel like I am going to burst.

Woman: Good lord leave the girl alone guys

I turn around as they back away: Thank you very--- O MY GOD. You're well you.

She smiles at me.

Woman: Hi Jude I'm well me.

Me: I'm sorry

Faith: no need to sorry doll

Mason comes up to us: Hey I see you two have met… don't mind jude she's a little star struck

Me: am not

He gives me an "are you kidding me" look

Me: ok maybe a little

We all laugh.

Faith: well I have to go get ready which you should be doing too

Me: It was a pleasure meeting you.

Faith: Stop by my dressing room so we can rehearse ok?

Me: ok

As she walks away I just squeal in excitement then I'm grabbed by a shorter woman and dragged into a dressing room where several people are waiting for me.

Me: Excuse me?

Woman: Sorry but we need you to warm up so we have the band and need to do your make up.

Mason just sits on the couch while I am warming up while my make up and hair get done. When I am finished I read over the set list which is like this:

Another Thin Line

Anyone But You

How Strong Do You Think I Am

Me Out Of Me

Who Am I Fooling? (w/ Mason)

White Lines

There's Us

Extra song (Imperfection)

Extra song (No One)

Extra song (Who's Crying Now)

Then come out with Faith for Lucky One

I prepare all of my songs I cant help but laugh when mason and I sing Who Am I Fooling so we have to do that a couple of times. When we are done I find my way to Faith's door and knock and a man opens it and my jaw drops

Me: O MY GOD

Man: Hi Jude

Me: Hi Mr. McGraw

Tim: Tim, Please

Me: Tim, I'm sorry I'm looking for Faith's dressing room is this it?

Tim: Yup I was just leaving. You know our daughters love your music

Me: Thank you I love both you and Faith's music it is just amazing.

Faith pokes her head out the door: hey jude come on in.

I wince a little when she says it but I just brush it off since its faith hill. Tim leaves us alone.

Faith: oh im sorry I should have known not to say that… I heard you don't like when people say that.

Me: coming from you its fine

Faith: named after the Beatles huh?

I nod and tell her about me, des, sadie and molly. She laughs and sympathizes.

Faith: well I think its time we rehearse huh?

I just smile… I mean I'm in the presence of one of my idols. We rehearse, mason and I goof off, I call everyone at the house and tell them what's goin on and they just laughed at how excited I was. Mason and I grab some quick food and then I get my make up touched up and get dragged to the stage. Before I go on the stage mason grabs my hands and holds them.

Mason: Good luck Jude. Even though you don't need it.

Me: Thanx Mason.

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him on his cheek.

Announcer: PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR JUDE HARRISON!

Me: Here goes nothing.

I grab my guitar and walk on stage.

Me: Hello Montana! Wow can I just say I am still in shock I was just told that I was the opening act at around 2 this afternoon.

They all laugh and then we start through the set list. Everything goes smoothly. I finish Me Out Of Me.

Me: Now please welcome one of my best friends Mason Fox.

Mason came out on stage. It was such an adrenaline rush dancing and singing with mason. The only downside was near the middle of the song I noticed a pair of unforgettable, piercing blue eyes staring at me from the front row. I zoomed out from the eyes and looked at his face while we finished. So I decided to make him jealous I'd kiss mason again. Mason saw what I was looking at and he knew what I was thinking so he nodded at me. At the end of the song I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. When he left stage I noticed Tom was obviously jealous. I pulled up the stool as the band left the stage.

Me: Ok now its just gonna be me and you guys. Now I'm supposed to sing White Lines right now but I think I'm gonna do something a little different. This is called Bleed. I hope you guys like it.

Well, it's been almost a year to the moment
When I finally realized it was over
And I knew that love wasn't good enough
Of a reason for me to stay
Well, I saw you yesterday; you were drivin'
And I tried so hard to forget
You were alive, and as you passed by I began to cry
Over things that I did not say

And hide underneath my blankets and sheets
I'm finally free
I'm killin' the ghost of you, and I'm close to
Awakening me

Yeah, yeah
So I'm takin' my heart and I'm gettin' me out
And love's something that I wouldn't wanna live without
So I'm takin' my heart and I'm gettin' me out
On my own, my own, my own

Well, it takes all of my strength to be stable
And I force your insults under the table
And if you were wise you would compromise
And allow me to live my way
'Cause I am not a force to be reckoned with
And you don't have a clue what you're messin' with
And you can't see to the best in me
'Cause it's more than your heart can take

And hide underneath my blankets and sheets
I'm finally free
I'm killin' the ghost of you, and I'm close to
Awakening me

I'm awakening me

I'm awakening me, yeah

I'm awakening me

So I'm takin' my heart and I'm gettin' me out
And love's something that I wouldn't wanna live without
So I'm takin' my heart and I'm gettin' me out
On my own, my own, my own

I'm takin' my heart and I'm settin' you free
And, baby, now you're just another song to me
And the edge of your sword isn't sharp enough for me
To bleed

Na na na na...

They start cheering and I can see the look of hurt in his eyes.

Me: Ok now I'm goin back to the list... (I laugh and so do they). So this song is called There's Us.

There's me
Looking down at my shoes
The one smiling like the sun
That's you
What were you thinking
What was the song inside your head
There's us
Going on about a band
Working out how we play our hand
I lay there dreaming
Later all alone in my bed

If I was stupid
Maybe careless
So were you

Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough
There's us

Freeze-frame
I'm not about to cry
It's too late for us to change
Why try
I've got a camera
Tucked away inside my heart

If I'm a loser
Or just unlucky
So are you

Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough
There's us

Somewhere between then and now
I look away when you said we'll never change
And if you think what might have been
You'll lose today and we've got songs to play

Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough
There's us
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough
There's us

At the end my voice starts to crack and I look to my left and see Mason standing there telling me to go on.

Me: Ok the next songs are Imperfection, No One, and Who's Crying Now. I wrote them all within the past week I hope you like them.

My hair's a wreck
Mascara runs
My feet get dirty and my skin burns in the sun
My lips, they bleed
But I still sing my songs
Takes me a minute to admit it when I'm wrong

Pretty is as pretty does, but pretty's not my thing...

This is what you get
This is who I am
Take me now or leave me
Any way you can
Sometimes I trip and fall
But I know where I stand
If you're thinking about changing my direction,
Why mess with imperfection?

My back is weak
But my will is true
Got good intentions but I never follow through
And I say too much
Don't know when to leave
In case you're looking, that's my heart there on my sleeve

Ego trips and stupid slipups, I'm a mess but...

Chorus

Scratched and bruised, a little used, but baby I work fine
You might call me damaged goods, but I'm one of a kind

My hair's a wreck
No, I'm not perfect but I'm not the only one...

I am moving through the crowd

Tryin to find myself

Feel like a guitar that's never played

Will someone strum away

And I ask myself

Who do I wanna be?

Do I wanna throw away the key?

And invent a whole new me?

And I tell myself

No one

Don't wanna be No one But me

You are moving through the crowd

Trying to find yourself

Feel like a doll left on a shelf

Will someone take you down

And you ask yourself

Who do I wanna be?

Do I wanna throw away the key?

And invent a whole new me?

Gotta tell yourself

No one

Don't wanna be No one But me

Your life plays out on the shadows of the wall

Turn the light off to erase it all

You wonder what its like to not feel worthless

So open all the blinds and draw the curtains

No one

Don't wanna be No one But me

We are moving through the crowd

It's too late to say you're sorry
You've been gone from here too long
I hope you found what you were missing
Cause I don't miss you here at all

And it's too bad that I'm not crying for you baby,

Who's cryin now?

There's so many nights I wasted
I was waiting for your call
Did you think I'd wait forever?
I guess you don't know me at all
And I told you if you left you would regret it
Thinking I would take you back, but you don't get it

Tell me who's cryin now

I'm saving my breath
I'm saving my tears
I'm saving my life for something
Better than these years
I've lost too much time
Crying over you
Don't look so surprised that I've
Got better things to do
Who's cryin now?
I hold the last note and the crowd goes insane I should be happy right? Then why do I still feel broken up?

Me: Thank you guys! Now please welcome a wonderful man, Tim McGraw!

Tim comes on stage with the band and gives me a hug and I walk off stage into masons arms.

Mason: Jude that was amazing

Faith: Yeah Jude that was one of the best performances I have ever seen before.

I slip out of Masons arms: Thank you so much for having me open for you and Tim.

Faith: you are very welcome now go rest your gonna need to come back out in a while.

Mason drags me to our seats in the front row and we just sit there in awe watching Tim perform. Fortunately we are away from Mr. Quincy. Tim ends his set with his cover of Elton Johns "Tiny Dancer". While he sings Mason and I act out the lyrics. He finishes.

Tim: Now would you do me the honor of welcoming my gorgeous wife and best friend, Faith Hill.

Faith comes out and waves to the audience and gives me a wink.

Faith: Now can I just say whoever broke Jude Harrison's heart needs to grow up and see what a lovely young woman she is.

She stared at a pair of blue eyes in front of her. Mason and I look at each other.

We say in unison: She's smart

We laugh. I look over to where Tommy is standing and can tell he is clearly heart broken. I actually kinda feel bad. Faith and Tim start singing "Like We Never Loved At All." Mason and I decide not to sing along because it is such a beautiful song that we don't want to butcher it. I just listen to the lyrics and a single tear runs down my cheek. When I feel it run down I brush it away. I'm never crying over Tom Quincy again. At the end of the song the have a loving kiss and Tim walks off stage and Faith starts singing her set list. When the music for Mississippi Girl start to play I know that I have to run backstage. I run backstage and start warming up my voice and jumping up and down trying to shake off my nervousness.

: Don't worry you'll be great like always, girl.

I don't turn around knowing that voice belongs to the one and only Lil' Tommy Q.

Me: Leave me alone Mr. Quincy.

T: Miss Harrison we need to talk.

Me: I think I said all I needed to say the other day now if you'll excuse me I have to go on stage.

Faith: Now please welcome again Jude Harrison!

As I start to go on stage he grabs my arm and pulls me into a kiss but I don't kiss him back.

Me: you done? Thanx

I release myself from his grip and go onstage. Faith gives me a questionable look and I just brush it off.

Me: Hey guys its great to be back out here!

Faith: ok guys jude and I are going to sing Lucky One

I smile as the music starts.

So hot outside all I can wear
is these cut off overalls
and these sandals on my feet.
But I emptied my pockets for a bus ticket
so I could sit there on a broken seat
I got no place I should go
I got no worries you know
Second or seventh street,
it doesn't matter to me.

Chorus:
'cause you're mine
that's all I need to know
the sunshine's everywhere we go
it's so right 'cause I've got you to hold
every night yeah
I'm the lucky one.
I'm the lucky one.

Well I pulled back down to
my upstreet apartment
and the air never works in that old place
twenty-seven and I thought I'd
be further along
than just this rented space.
I got no papers to read
I got no cable TV
and I got no places to be
I got no people to meet

Chorus:
'cause you're mine
that's all I need to know
the sunshine's everywhere we go
it's so right 'cause I've got you to hold
every night yeah
I'm the lucky one.
I'm the lucky one.

I'm on a roll
when I'm with you
don't stop me now
I just can't lose

Chorus:
'cause you're mine
that's all I need to know
the sunshine's everywhere we go
it's so right 'cause I've got you to hold
every night yeah
I'm the lucky one.
I'm the lucky one.

we dance around while singing. Out of the corner of my eye I see mason confronting Tommy. Mason starts yelling at him and then Tommy just walks away. The song ends.

Me: I just want to say thank you to all of you you guys have been great. I would also like to thank Tim and Faith for having me here.

I wave to the crowd and walk offstage. I look for mason and as I'm looking for him I bump into a person and fall flat on my ass.

Me: ow

I look up and see its Tommy. He holds out a hand and I ignore it.

Me: I thought you left, wasn't mason just yelling at you?

Tommy: you mean your new boyfriend? Did you think I'd get jealous?

Me: I could see you getting jealous. It was the same look whenever you see me with any guy and don't deny it

I start to get up and loose my balance and he grabs me but I just push him off

Me: God Tommy why can't you just leave me alone?

Tommy: because I need to explain to you why I left

Me: Oh please

One of the tour managers comes up: Jude we need you out front for autographs

Me: Ok

I just leave with her and sit in between Mason and Faith at the table. We start signing autographs and taking pictures when an oh too familiar person comes up.

Tommy: can I have an autograph?

I grab a photo of me and sign on it: Go screw yourself. Have a nice life. Hate you always, Jude Harrison. I hand him the photo and he looks down and read my note.

Tommy: Jude, please just let me explain.

Mason: Just give up Tommy

Jude: Yeah just give up

Tommy: I cant and I wont, because I love you Jude.

Everyone just stares at me. I get up from my seat.

Me: I'll be right back

I grab Tommy's hand and pull him away from people. He has that wounded puppy look that he had after he and sadie broke up.