AN: I've been having writer's block for awhile, which is why I haven't updated. So to make up for it, I wrote a really long chapter. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far. You guys are the best!
Disclaimer: (I always forget this part) Of course I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. If I did, do you think Tommy would've taken off like that? I hope Tommy comes back. He just has to hook up with Jude eventually. But that can't happen if he doesn't come back, or Jude doesn't go after him. If they don't hook up soon, I'll yell, scream, curse, throw things, wallow in my misery, fall into an un-Jommy-filled depression, and die. But I'm sure most of us would too.
Previously:
"Kwest, man, you in there?" Tommy called out, as he knocked politely.
There was some movement inside, then Kwest opened the door. "Hey guys," he said. He looked terrible.
"Hey Kwest," I said, scanning the room. "Where's Sadie?"
"She went out for a while," Kwest said. He looked tired.
"Want to talk about it?" Tommy said.
"I'm not good enough for your sister, Jude. Not anymore." Kwest broke down in sobs, as I pulled him in for a hug.
"Kwest, don't worry. I've got it," I said, a plan beginning to form in my head. "Just leave it up to me."
Chapter 22: Operation Hookup
I waited until the guys came back, and asked them to help in my plans. Speed and Wally looked horrified at the thought of dressing up in suits, and walked around choking themselves and gagging. Kyle, on the other hand, turned pale and went around moaning, "Noooooooo…."
"Guys, come on, just do it, OK? For me?" I gave Speed my most pointed look, knowing that if I could change his mind, I could change Wally's too. Wally pretty much did everything Speed did. Kyle, on the other hand, would be a lot harder to convince.
Speed was the first to break. "OK, dude. But no one's going to take pictures, right? 'Cuz otherwise, I'm gonna have to shove your camera up your…"
"Dude, that's just gross," Wally interrupted, as Kyle pretended to snap pictures. Speed immediately reacted and jumped on Kyle. Kyle shifted so that Speed tackled Wally instead.
"Dude! Get off me!" Wally said, as Kyle cracked up. Wally glared at Kyle, who was clutching his sides, laughing hard.
"OK, guys, so you're all in, right?" I asked hopefully.
"Sure, dude," Wally said, still rubbing the arm he'd landed on.
"Kyle, you in?" I said, mentally crossing my fingers.
"Dude, I don't know," Kyle said.
"OK, Kyle, fine. Don't help Sadie and Kwest get back together," Kyle winced at my tone, "watch Sadie be miserable and grumpy. Sure, she'll cry all day, but then she'll cry at night, all night, and when she doesn't get her beauty sleep, she turns into what I like to call the Big Bad Witch. Pretty soon, she'll be so emotional that she'll stop eating, stop sleeping, and start yelling over the littlest things, and snap at you whenever you leave the cords unplugged. I should know, I've had to live with her all my life. Trust me, guys, you so don't want to go there. It's not pretty."
"Yeah, dude, there are plenty of other babes out there. Why do you have to be stuck on her?" Wally said.
"OK, OK, I'm in," Kyle said, although he still looked miserable about his decision.
"Dude, you won't regret this," Speed said, clapping him on the back.
"You'd better be right, dude, or you so owe me," Kyle warned. Speed ignored his threat and laughed.
The 6 of us immediately got to work. I asked Kwest if I could decorate his place, and he said as long as I could get it off, and it didn't leave any marks on the paint, it was fine. He brought out all the materials needed to brighten up the place, and I quickly sent Tommy off with the guys to go shopping, since none of them had any suits. Tommy looked pained, at least until I promised him I'd make it up to him later.
While they were gone, I began making paper hearts with the red construction paper Kwest gave me. I also looked through the kitchen to see if he had any red plastic cups, red napkins, anything that might be used on Valentine's Day (even though it wasn't). I also started baking a heart-shaped cake that I was going to write "I love you" in big bold icing on it.
After a few hours, the guys came back, with Tommy looking really worn out. The guys, on the other hand, were so full of energy that it was hard to miss.
"Mmm, did you miss me?" Tommy perked up as he saw me. He came over and wrapped his arms around me, and gave me a peck on the top of my head.
"You know it," I said, turning around and pulling out the frosting. The cake had been out for a little while, and was now cool enough to frost and ice.
"Dudes! Cake!" Speed saw the cake, and grabbed a fork.
"Guys, it's not for you, it's for Sadie and Kwest," I said, grabbing their forks before they could destroy my beautiful creation. I laughed as they pouted.
"But we're hungry," Speed complained.
"When are you ever not?" Tommy mocked them.
"Tommy, don't. Guys, here, have some of this." I'd made some sandwiches while I was waiting for the cake to bake, and while I was taking a break from making the decorations.
"Dude, you rock!" Speed said, as Kyle and Wally came in, lugging some shopping bags behind them. Their eyes lit up as they saw the sandwiches, and they dropped their bags and charged over to the kitchen table like a bunch of starving elephants.
I'd made a plate stacked high with sandwiches for each of them, and they were instantly devoured in under 10 minutes.
"Thanks, dude, but are there any more?" Kyle said, as his stomach rumbled.
"Uh, no, but you can have this if you want," I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a fruit tray that was still unopened. Sadie was such a health nut.
"No thanks," Kyle wrinkled his nose. "Dudes, let's go get some pizza." He walked out, as Speed and Wally started bellowing what they wanted on their pizza.
"Need any help?" Tommy said, coming over and wrapping his arms around me from behind.
"Yeah, I just need to put these up," I said, as Tommy brought out a ladder. I went up a few steps, and Tommy's hands never broke contact with my legs.
Then we set up the tables, and lit a few candles for a special touch. Tommy put on some romantic music, and the mood was set.
"OK, Kwest will be here any minute, and Sadie's going to be amazed when she sees this," Tommy said, approving my work.
"Now, there's one last thing we need to do," I told Tommy.
"What's that?" Tommy looked confused.
"Disappear. Come on!" I grabbed Tommy's hand and pulled him upstairs.
Minutes later, we heard the sound of a key in the lock. Sadie came in, and her mouth opened in surprise as she saw what we'd done with the place. "Kwest? Jude? Is anyone here?"
I started giggling, and Tommy covered my mouth with his hand as he also struggled not to laugh. We heard Sadie walk around downstairs, then the sound of the door opening again.
"Sadie?" Kwest said, as he saw her in the kitchen.
"Kwest, what are you doing home so early?" Sadie was shocked to see him.
"I had the evening off. What about you? I thought Liam wanted you to work late." Kwest looked accusingly at Sadie, but she ignored his question.
"I took off before anyone noticed," Sadie shrugged. "Kwest, did you do this?"
"Uh, yeah. I wanted you to have a nice dinner. You know, since you've been working hard lately," Kwest lied.
"Thanks, Kwest. That's really nice of you," Sadie said. "I'm just going to go up and take a shower, change, and I'll be right back down, OK?"
"OK, I think I'll do that too," Kwest said. The two of them went upstairs, and Sadie immediately came to my room.
"Jude, I need your help, quick!" Sadie looked frantic. I feigned innocence and said, "Hey Sades. What's going on?"
"Kwest made this really nice dinner for me, and I don't have anything to wear." Sadie looked like she was on the verge of a fashion meltdown.
"Hmm, am I dreaming? Is Ms. Fashion herself asking for help from Ms. Fashion Don't?" I teased, using one of Sadie's favorite nicknames for me when we were growing up.
"Shut up, just help me, OK?" Sadie begged.
"On one condition," I said, trying to take advantage of the situation. This usually didn't happen, as Sadie loved being in control of everything and everyone.
"What?" Sadie scowled, knowing I'd make it a good one.
"I want you to get me an appointment with that nice French hairdresser you always brag about," I smiled as Sadie paled.
"What? No way, Jude, I won't let my favorite hairdresser see what kind of sister I have to live with. Anyway, he'd probably never let me in his salon again, seeing as your hair would look better tied up in knots," Sadie said.
"OK, since you put it that way, you're on your own," I started walking away slowly, knowing she'd come running after me to help her.
"Jude, wait, I'm just joking, OK? You know, a big sister can joke with her little sister from time to time. And that's exactly what I'm doing, just joking with you," Sadie tried to look convincing, and she nailed it.
"OK, so you're joking. Do we have a deal?" My year at G Major taught me how to drive a hard bargain.
Sadie pouted for a moment, then put on a brave face. "Fine, I'll take you. Now, come on!" She grabbed my hand and dragged me upstairs.
Meanwhile, Kwest was begging Tommy for help.
"Man, how do you get your hair to behave?" Kwest looked envious.
"It's all in the genes, man," Tommy said proudly, smiling as Kwest applied gel for the umpteenth time to make his hair stay.
"That look ain't working for you man," Tommy remarked. He laughed as Kwest groaned and tossed a bottle of cologne at him. "Let me see what you got." He walked over to Kwest's closet, and rummaged through his clothes.
"Man, you need to get out more. These clothes were so 5 years ago," Tommy laughed again, as Kwest scowled at him.
"Are you going to help me or not?" Kwest spat out angrily.
"I'm helping man, you're just not giving me much to work with," Tommy smiled, trying to control his laughter.
"Whatever man, just choose something, alright?" Kwest was getting more upset by the minute.
After a few more minutes of Tommy laughing softly to himself at Kwest's clothes, and Kwest glaring at him in the mirror, Tommy finally chose a nice suit and tie, and some nice slacks.
"Man, you need to get less grandpa-type clothing, and more sporty looking stuff." Tommy burst out laughing, and Kwest stared daggers at him.
"I would, but I don't make enough money to get nice suits like you do." Kwest said.
"Man, I didn't know," Tommy looked apologetic.
"Just forget it," Kwest said, not in the least upset at his best friend.
"Come on, man, Sadie's probably waiting for you downstairs. Don't worry, she'll fall in love with you all over again," Tommy said, trying to change the subject.
"You think?" Kwest said, unsure of himself.
"I know," Tommy insisted. "Just…come on already."
Tommy and Kwest rushed downstairs to find an empty first floor. "Why'd you rush me, man?" Kwest said, just as I cleared my throat from the top of the stairs.
"Ladies and gentlemen, OK, just gentlemen, I will now present…Sadie Harrison," I said. I shoved Sadie in the direction of the stairs, and mouthed, "GO!" to her. She looked a little nervous, which surprised me, because Sadie was always the essence of confidence.
Kwest's eyes bulged as he saw Sadie slowly descend the stairs. Tommy smiled at me, and Sadie, silently giving her approval as she came closer.
"Dinner will be served in the dining room." I motioned for them to follow me, and Speed, Wally, and Kyle froze as they saw us come in.
"Guys? Is that really you?" Kwest started laughing as the three guys stared daggers at him.
"Dude, shut it, before I pelt you with these dinner rolls," Speed warned.
"Ooh, I'm so scared!" Kwest mocked them.
Sadie rolled her eyes and said, "Wow guys. I never thought you'd clean up so well." She blushed as Kyle pulled out her chair for her and seated her. "Thanks, Kyle," she said breathlessly, as Wally poured them something to drink.
"May I take your order?" Speed said, trying to be serious. He held a pen poised over his notepad.
"What do you recommend?" Kwest said, smiling at their antics.
"We have tortiere, which is a pork meat pie, a traditional Quebec favorite. Then we have linguini with mussels. Gross, if you ask me." Tommy shot him a look, as Kwest bit back a laugh.
"Pork? That's pig. I'll have the linguini with mussels, please," Sadie commanded.
"I'll have tortiere," Kwest said, as Sadie gagged at his choice. "What? It's Tommy's favorite, you know. I have to eat it."
"OK, unless you want to come out from Tommy's shadow anytime soon," Sadie retorted. "I don't always do what my best friend does."
"And I don't always do what my girlfriend does," Tommy blurted out. Sadie glared at him, and I whacked him on the shoulder. "I mean, not at first, anyway."
Kwest chuckled, and Speed continued, "Would you like anything to drink while your meals are being prepared?"
"I'll have your finest champagne," Sadie said, and Kwest quickly agreed with her.
As soon as Speed left, Tommy and I went into the kitchen to take out the meals he'd made hours before.
"Ahh, perfect as always," Tommy said, grabbing some oven mitts and opening the oven to take out the meal.
"Jude, can you go bring the champagne out to them?" Tommy said, giving me the look he reserved just for me.
"Sure," I said, taking it out of the ice bucket and grabbing some glasses. "Are you going to be OK in here?"
"I'll live," Tommy said, meaning he'd be OK while I was temporarily away from him.
I went outside to Kwest and Sadie, and tried not to laugh as Kyle scowled, turning on some music for them.
I poured the champagne into their glasses, and saw how Kwest gazed at Sadie with all the love he felt for her, although it was masked with a little twinge of hurt and guilt. Sadie looked back at Kwest, and although she loved him, there was no denying her annoyance with his constant accusations of her relationship with Liam.
I gave Kwest a look, and he sipped a little of his champagne before speaking. "Sadie, may I have this dance?" He held out his hand, and Sadie smiled back before taking it.
We'd set up a dance floor, since I knew Sadie loved to dance. She'd been the star of every recital when she was taking dance lessons all those years ago. Our mantel had been crammed full of Sadie's accomplishments, and I saw that it definitely paid off. Just watching her with Kwest made me feel that much closer to Tommy.
They danced for a little while, Sadie laying her head on Kwest's shoulder, and staring up at him dreamily. Kwest looked down at Sadie, and thought she never looked better. They seemed to lose track of time and place, and only stopped once Speed came back with their meals.
"Madame, here is your linguini with mussels, and sir, here is your tortiere. Would you like some freshly grated parmesan on that?" Speed asked. He can be such a gentleman sometimes, and so 18 at others.
"No thank you. Do you think I want to gain 50 pounds?" Sadie said jokingly. "I wouldn't be able to fit through the door." She and Kwest laughed, and Speed turned a bright red.
The rest of the evening went on smoothly, and I was beginning to see the sparks fly between Kwest and Sadie again. At the end of their meal, Kwest stood up and took Sadie's hand.
"Hey man, Jude," Kwest said. "Sadie and I are going out for some dessert. Don't wait up," He winked as Sadie came up and they went off.
"YES!" I hi-fived Tommy as he'd watched the whole thing. "Tommy, you rock!"
"Not without my girl," Tommy said, kissing me silent. We broke apart only to smile at one another.
"You know what this means, don't you?" I said as seductively as I could.
Tommy looked deeply into my eyes. "What?" he said, in that husky tone of his. It always made me weak in the knees.
"We have the whole place to ourselves," I said, smiling at him.
"You're forgetting three very important things, Jude," Tommy reminded me.
"What are they?" I was completely clueless.
"They go by the names Speed, Kyle, and Wally," Tommy said, slowly pulling away. I hated not being touched by him.
"So, we'll just give them a night off, a really big tip, and they'll disappear. What do you think of that?" I said. I'd do anything to spend a night alone with Tommy.
"I think I made the right choice when I fell in love with you," Tommy said, wrapping his arms around me once again. "Come on Jude, I hear it's going to be cold tonight. Wanna sleep over?"
"Sure," I said, as my lips found his. "You know I can't sleep without you." Our lips never broke apart as we headed up to his room.
AN: So, what'd you think? Good? Bad? Tell me! I really wanna know!