A.N - Thanks for all your reviews guys - I'm sorry I didn't reply. I was on this thing called Work Experience. It made me tired. And this was written instead of Science revision.

But, that new Season of Instant Star. Good, yes? xD

THREE

And I wish I could know if the directions that I take
And all the choices that I make
Won't end up all for nothing
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
-- The Hoobastank

With her headphones on and her guitar in her lap, Jude was oblivious to the goings on around her.

She was humming under her breath when her sister dumped a mail sack in front of her and Jude looked up with a start.

"What's this?"

She pushed the headphones from her ears and looked at the bag curiously.

"Fan mail." Sadie told her before rolling her eyes. "Don't know why they're sending it to you though. Especially since they could be sending it to Little Tommy Q."

"How much did he get?"

"A lot."

The sisters watched as Tommy was interrupted with his own sack and he glanced over at Jude quickly.

With a smirk on his face and his eyebrow raised, Tommy jerked his head in the direction of an unused studio as he held up the sack half-heartedly.

Smiling, Jude nodded and picked up her own bag as she put aside her guitar.

"What's that all about?" Sadie asked interestedly, darting her eyes from her little sister over to her hunky opposition.

Jude ignored her sister with a dismissive wave and walked purposefully over to the studio Tommy had gestured towards, the bag of letters slung over her back.

"After you, my lady." Tommy bowed gallantly, opening the studio door and letting Jude in ahead of him.

"My, my," she joked, fully aware of why Tommy had let her in first and began to shake her hips knowingly as she walked. "What a gentleman."

He pecked her lips.

"I aim to please."

Smiling, Jude ducked her head away from him as she sat on the recording deck opposite Tommy who'd taken the only chair in the small, cramped studio.

She pulled out a letter and opened it quickly, scanning what had been written with a smile on her face.

"Jude," Tommy interrupted. "Listen to this." He cleared his throat. "Dear Little Tommy Q. I love you. So much. You so deserved to win Instant Star – not have to share it with Jude Harrison." He paused. "You can feel the love, right?"

Jude laughed and rolled her eyes.

"I have them too." She poked her tongue out at him immaturely. "Jude, You rock! Just wanted you to know that I voted for you. Tommy Quincy is just a boy band wannabe. Your music is real."

Tommy rolled his eyes.

"Very funny," he muttered. "You've had your fun."

"Nuh-uh." She picked up another letter and opened it. "I have many more."

Tommy watched her as her eyes scanned the next letter, taking in her messy hair and ripped jeans as her red-coloured mouth opened in shock.

"I can't believe this!" Her voice told of her indignation. "Can you believe this?"

He regarded her amusedly.

"No," he took the letter from her hand and read it under her scrutinising gaze. "I can't. Though it is funny."

She glared at him and took the letter back.

"Jude the Prude?" She quoted. "I am so not a prude."

Tommy smiled but said nothing.

"Girl, you need to get out and live a little – show some skin!" She scoffed. "Did he not see that cover shoot."

At that reminder, Tommy's eyes glazed over, remember Jude's revealing outfit and their encounter afterwards in her dressing room. Needing the physical connection, Tommy pulled Jude off of the deck and into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist as she raved about the letter she'd received.

"If you ever decide to get down and dirty I'm available. Call me on –"

She was cut off my Tommy's possessive lips falling on top of hers and his hands spanning the length of her back.

"I don't remember reading that part," he panted out, pulling apart for air as he took the letter from her once again and read it. He was livid. "That bastard actually gave you his number?!"

Jude shrugged helplessly.

"I'm sure you get phone numbers too."

He growled and dove in to attack Jude with more kisses.

"You…" he spoke around his fierce kisses to her lips. "Are… not … going to … call him."

Jude shook her head and pulled him back towards her to which Tommy responded in kind, his fingers biting into her skin in his attempt to ease his jealousy.

The door to the studio opened abruptly, leaving no chance for Tommy and Jude to decent themselves as Sadie looked at the pair with a raised eyebrow. Jude hastened to jump off her … boyfriend? Tommy responded by dropping his arms and sighing, his head falling back on the chair.

"Can we help you, Sadie?" He asked pointedly.

"Darius is looking for Jude." She informed them. "I figured you wouldn't have wanted him to come looking for you."

"Sure," Jude jumped up and glanced back at Tommy who shrugged. "I'll be there now."

"Whatever." Sadie rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her, leaving the couple alone.

"Go." Tommy urged, standing up and placing his hands lightly on her hips. "I'll see you afterwards."

She smiled and nodded, moving to leave the studio.

"Hey, Tommy?" Jude asked, pausing in the doorway. "What is this?"

She gestured lamely between the two of them.

"I don't know," he responded, a smile tugging at his lips. "But it works."

Walking slowly into Darius' office, Jude belatedly realised that there was another person in the room – a boy her age. It took another few moments to place him as Shay, the super popular rap artist who referred to Darius as 'Uncle D.'

"You wanted to see me?" She asked, standing in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Have a seat."

She sat quietly next to Shay, who openly appraised her.

"We've decided to boost your image," Darius began. "Make you even more popular than you are already."

"Really?" Jude raised her eyebrow higher, suspicious. "And how do you propose we do that?"

She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she challenged Darius.

"You've met my nephew, Shay, right?"

Jude glanced at him and waved in greeting.

"'Sup, girl."

She fought the urge to roll her eyes at his typical rapper response.

"You two," Darius continued, coming around to sit on the edge of his desk as he clapped a hand on Shay's shoulder. "Just got serious."

Tommy sat, watching the door to Darius' office stoically, willing it to open.

When it finally did open and it revealed Jude with her hand clasped in that of Shay Mills, he jumped up angrily, ready to demand an explanation.

"Attention everyone," Darius called, following the couple out of his office. Tommy noticed that Jude wasn't meeting his eye. "Our very own Instant Star –" Tommy seethed at that. " –Jude Harrison has now officially hooked up with Shay."

Everyone present to hear the announcement clapped confusedly whilst Shay wrapped his arm around Jude's waist and kissed her cheek.

It was only then that Jude's wide eyes found Tommy's, showing her dislike for the situation.

And Tommy saw red.