Part two: Unexpected Reunion
The bad dream Jude thought she had, wasn't a dream at all. But the reality of it didn't sink in until a couple of weeks later.
And then it took years for Jude to convince herself that he wasn't coming back, although she always glanced at that front door with hope. Eventually Sadie got her own apartment and Jude decided to live with her, so she wouldn't be forced to stare at that ridiculous door anymore. Sadie never realized how much Tommy hurt Jude, because she hid her feelings pretty well. That was the one thing Jude got really good at. She used to be around Tommy so much that hiding the fact that she was pining for him on the inside became a regular occurrence.
Jude was now three weeks away from turning 18, and things were going pretty well for her. She had just recently been able to get Tommy out of her head, and moved on with her life. Just a few more months until Jude could graduate, and then she would go to a nearby community college afterwards, to make her mom happy. It was a Saturday afternoon, which consisted, for Jude, of the normal routine of checking off what vinyl records she recently bought and glancing at which ones she still needed to get. Sadie had called Jude 30 minutes ago, exclaiming about a surprise and refusing to give any hints as to what it was. Jude thought maybe Sadie had found a pair of shoes that she has been wanting for a while, which was commonly Sadie's cause for excitement. After busying herself for the next ten minutes with more music-related fanaticism, Jude heard the front door open, as well as Sadie's loud voice booming, "Jude, get you're butt down here, I have something to show you!"
Jude slowly rose to her feet and started trotting down the hall adding, "Sadie, you know I don't get as excited about a pair of shoes as you…" but stopped dead in her tracks without finishing her sentence. Her heartbeat was quickened faster than she had ever heard it before, and words refused to form because of who was standing a couple feet in front of her. Jude had waited for this day for almost six years, and now that Tommy was so close to her again, the one emotion she felt coursing inside of her was anger. Anger at the fact that he didn't call or write, but decided to show up unannounced six years later! But she didn't want Tommy to know she was feeling this way because then he would know how much she cared for him. Stay cool, Harrison. Don't let him read you like an open book. So instead, she smiled her award-winning smile and ecstatically cried, "Oh my god!" quickly running up to embrace him like her 12 year-old self would.
Tommy's thoughts, as Jude walked into sight, were far beyond what he thought they'd be. All he had to remember Jude by was an image of a little girl, so passionate about music and life. What was now standing in front of him was not a little girl, and he couldn't force his gaze to look at anything else besides her. Her long, blonde hair laid in waves along her face and shoulders. Her petite form was curvy and mesmerizing. Jude broke out into a grin, which was surprisingly seductive to Tommy, and came toward him, swiftly enveloping her small arms around his neck. Tommy reciprocated the action by clasping his arms behind her back, then slowly squeezing tighter, as if saying he never wanted to let her go.
He honestly did miss Jude more than anyone. She was like his best friend, and he couldn't have been happier to see her at that moment, even though other 'alarming' feelings were mixed in as well. Jude let go of Tommy and then studied his face for a couple of seconds before playfully hitting him in the stomach. "Where the hell have you been!" exclaimed Jude; not out of anger, but pure astonishment.
Tommy created more distance between them because the sweet, minty scent emanating off of her soft skin was making him uncomfortable. "Sorry, doll. Work had me busy. And then when I came back to town, your mom told me you guys got your own place, and I didn't feel like ruining the new situation you had for yourselves." He stared at her with a look that convinced Jude that he was truly sorry for not seeing her sooner.
"And by work, I suppose you mean the fabulous success of Boys Attack!" Jude said the name of the band with such exaggerated flair that Tommy could tell she was mocking him.
"Hey, laugh all you want, but my brief stint in the boy band got me where I want to be now, as well as paid me more than enough to purchase my baby."
"You bought a child? Aw, that's so cute. Look at you giving back to the community by adopting. Or did you do it because you found out you were sterile? Yikes! That's a bummer." Jude sarcastically blurted out. Tommy was surprised at her witty remarks.
"Your tongue has become a lot sharper since the last time I saw you, Harrison." Even Jude had to admit she was a little surprised at how calm and playful she was in front of him, considering she was still angry as hell. Again, hiding her true feelings was as natural as breathing for Jude. Tommy continued, "Anyway, the 'baby' I'm referring to is the sweet little number parked right outside."
Sadie finally felt it was her turn to speak. "You have to see his car, Jude. It's beyond beautiful." All three of them walked out the door and Jude noticed the blue viper parked in the street. She had to admit that it was kind of sexy.
Jude wanted to keep her sarcasm rolling. "And here I thought you were a station wagon kind of guy."
Tommy played along. "Well I was considering it. I mean, station wagon or viper; so hard to choose. In the end, I picked the viper because I knew the chicks would love to take a ride in it."
"Way to go, sugar daddy." Tommy laughed at Jude's comment and they all headed back into the house to order a pizza and catch up. Eventually, Jude had to ask, "So, how did you two happen to run into each other?"
Sadie swallowed her food before saying, "Oh, yeah! I completely forgot about that." She took a sip of her soda before continuing. "So, you know how I had that job interview this morning?"
"Yeah." Jude didn't really remember, because she doesn't listen to half of the things Sadie says to her, but she knew that if she didn't say yes, Sadie would spend 10 minutes conjuring up the exact moment she mentioned it to Jude. Frankly, Jude was not in the mood for that today.
"Well, it turns out the receptionist job I applied for happens to be the same place that Tommy recently accepted a position as a music producer. It's a record company called G-Major."
"You're a music producer, Quincy?" Jude was excited because she always knew this was something he'd be good at, and also because she knew that G-Major was only 15 minutes away. She tried to stop feeling so excited on the inside, because she was still was incredibly mad at him.
Tommy detected the happiness in Jude's voice. "Apparently the world has finally caught onto my excellent music abilities."
"And here I thought you used those abilities to swoon teenagers and shake your ass in front of a camera." Jude couldn't help but carry the conversation back to his boy band past.
Tommy just shook his head at Jude. "I'm never gonna hear the end of this, am I?"
"Um…of course not! I mean, you, of all people, in a trendy boy band? You're the one person who showed me how to appreciate music for its subtle and unique qualities. I will admit that I listened to a Boys Attack! CD, Tommy, and…I really tried to look for subtlety, but sadly could not find it. But I did find deep and powerful songs about heartbreak and 'picking up the pieces'." Jude was starting to enjoy herself a little too much.
Tommy sighed. "Okay, I can take a hit. But pretty soon you're gonna get tired of making fun of me, and I won't have to be reminded about my past constantly."
"Oh, Tommy, how could anyone be tired of making fun of YOU. You're the perfect target." Jude and Tommy stared at each other, she giggled slightly to avoid the butterflies in her stomach.
"Wow, all of a sudden this topic is really beginning to get old." Sadie chose to interject since she finished her pizza and had nothing better to do currently.
Tommy was thankful for it. "You're right. New topic. What have you been up to Jude? You're…what…a senior in high school?"
Jude hated talking about herself, for fear of confessing something she didn't want to, so she tried to keep it as basic as possible. "Yep, only four more months to go and I will be done with that hell hole."
"Jude."
"What? Sadie, it's not like you loved the 'scholastic' part of school either. You survived because people fawned over you and you loved the attention. I'm barely making it out alive, but at least I have a couple of great friends to give me that extra push I need." Jude hoped Tommy wasn't going to question why she was having trouble in school.
Sadie stepped in. "And you have your band." Jude mentally slapped herself. Oh, crap. Why did she have to say that?
Tommy sat up straight and looked at Jude. "What band?"
Jude could tell Tommy was already interested in this subject. "Oh it's nothing, really. Just a side project a couple of my friends and I have delved into. It's small and…um, unimportant."
"Well, I'll have to hear this 'small and unimportant' band of yours sometime."
Sadie thought of the perfect opportunity for Tom to hear Jude's band. "Actually, Jude's band is playing at some girl's party next Friday." When Sadie said this, Tommy noticed sheer panic written all over Jude's face. Apparently Jude did not want him hearing her perform. Which was surprising since the two of them always had that musical connection.
"Next Friday? Oh, I can't make it. I'm working with an up and coming rap artist the whole weekend. Believe it or not, producing is a lot tougher than it sounds. Many long hours of listening to the same song over and over again." Tommy noticed Jude's whole body completely relax. Even though he told Jude he couldn't go, he had to find a way to watch her perform without her knowing. There was something she was hiding and Tommy became suddenly fascinated with discovering what that was.
When Friday came, Jude was in a noticeably great mood. Every time she had the opportunity to play with her band, she felt like it was where she belonged. They only did local parties and coffee shops because Jude appreciated the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that they provided. Jude's mood was also heightened at the fact that she knew Tommy wasn't going to be at the party. Jude has never before had stage fright when playing a show, but if Tommy was watching her sing, she's not sure how she would react. He could simply smile at Jude, and her nerves would go haywire.
As the band was setting up in the girl's living room, Jude noticed her sister in the back corner and waved at her. Sadie came to most of Jude's gigs and it was somewhat comforting knowing her big sis supported and cared for her so much.
"How's everyone doing tonight?" boomed Jude's voice through the microphone. Scattered cheers came from throughout the house. "Thanks for coming out to Lindsay's party. I'm Jude and this is my band, Spiederman Mind Explosion. Alright, let's heat things up…One, Two, Three, Four!"
You make me dizzy running circles in my head
One of these days I'll chase you down
Well look who's going crazy now
We're face to face my friend,
Better get out, better get out
You know you make me breakout
I don't want to look like that, I don't want to look like that (x2)
You can see this on my face
It's all for you
The more and more I take
I break right through
Therapy still scares me
Putting me on my back again.
I may be crazy, little frayed around the ends
One of these days I'll phase you out
Burn it in the blast off watching me crawl away
Try to get out
You know you make me breakout
I don't want to look like that, I don't want to look like that (x2)
I don't want to look like that
BREAKOUT, BREAKOUT, BREAKOUT, BREAKOUT! Go, Go, Go!
You know you make me breakout
I don't want to look like that, I don't want to look like that (x2)
I don't want to look like that, I don't want to look like that
You know you make me breakout, make me breakout, make me breakout…
The second the chorus of the song echoed through the house, people were going nuts. SME really knew how to get a crowd going. Cups of god knows what were flying through the air, a small mosh pit was formed in the middle of the living room, and people who knew the popular Foo Fighters song were screaming the lyrics back at Jude.
Half way through the song, Tommy managed to sneak in, unnoticed by Jude. She was having too much fun to really notice anyone in the crowd. He leaned against the opposite wall Sadie was standing by, so Jude wouldn't glance at her sister and find a surprise visitor. There was also a group of friends dancing directly in front of Tommy, making it easier for him to stay out of Jude's line of sight.
When the band's first song ended, Sadie casually looked around and immediately noticed Tommy. Her eyes grew wide and she was about to say something, but Tommy cut her to the quick and put his index finger to his lips, nonverbally telling Sadie to keep her trap shut. She nodded, and focused her attention back at Jude. So did Tommy.
Jude and SME played a couple more covers; all of which their 'adoring fans' went wild for. And Tommy could obviously see why. The band was good and had lots of energy, and Jude simply looked stunning up on that tiny platform. She also had a nice sultry voice that started to turn him on, but no one else excepting him would know that he was thinking these things. She wasn't even 18, yet he couldn't help but notice how much she had…blossomed over the past five and a half years.
"Wow. Thanks you guys. You've been an awesome crowd. Although I think that guy in the back needs to sit the next one out or he might break an ankle…or a vase, and I doubt Lindsay will be happy with the latter." Most of the audience laughed at Jude's little comment. The guy in the back nodded in agreement and passed out on the floor. "Okay, we actually only have two more songs for you guys so how about you give us a couple of requests."
Someone shouted out "The Safety Dance" to which Jude just laughed and anxiously listened for the next suggestion. A girl in the front said, "Play one of your songs, Jude."
Jude didn't like playing her music out in public that often because they were very personal and she didn't want people insinuating about what the lyrics meant. "Oh, I don't know. I mean, they're not that great. How about I play a Veruca Salt song…or something from The Breeders? Everyone loves a little 'Cannonball'."
The girl wasn't giving up. "Come on, Jude. We want you songs. Play '24 Hours', or the one about your guitar!" Suddenly the whole room started chanting "Jude, Jude, Jude", and she knew it would be wrong to disappoint them.
"Well…the guys and I have been working on a new song, and we've been waiting for an opportunity to play it in front of an audience." After Jude said this, everyone erupted in applause. She turned to Speed and nodded her head, then looked back at the crowd in front of her. "Alright, guys. This song goes out to all of our super cool fans, and it's called 'That Girl'."
You said you didn't need me (but you did)
You said you didn't want me (but you do)
It's kinda like a comedy
Well first you kiss me
Then you say we're through
I say you got some issues (yeah, you do)
Some things you gotta work through (really do)
It's sorta like a talk show, no wait a freak show
When the freak is you
I'm the smoke from your fire
I'm that lie you can trust
I'm the cord on your guitar
I'm that girl you can't shut up
I'm that blood you might need
In your car when you speed
In that cigarette you breath
You can't get rid of me
You said I wasn't funny (but you laughed)
You said I couldn't drive fast (then you crashed)
Funny how it works out
With your big mouth
You'll always get it back)
You thought you had me worked out (you're not deep)
Mr. I Screw About
At best you could've confessed
That you're a big mess
And that you're so damn weak
I'm the smoke from your fire
I'm that lie you can trust
I'm the cord on your guitar
I'm that girl you can't shut up
I'm the blood you might need
In your car when you speed
In that cigarette you breath
You can't get rid of me
But still, I try and justify
Try to let this die
We'll never say goodbye I can't wait
I'll rub it in your face
Dressed in pretty lace
I'll send you home, to cry
I'm the blood you might need
In your car when you speed
In that cigarette you breath
You can't get rid of me
Yeah, yeah
Can't get rid of me
Tommy was unconditionally mesmerized by the words Jude was singing and the amount of passion that she sang them with. She didn't try as hard when she sang the other songs, but since these lyrics belonged to her, she wasn't afraid to just completely let herself go. She looked even more beautiful, if it was physically possible, singing her song because there was a fire lit inside of Jude that made her glow. Tommy knew the second Jude finished her song that this was something she was born to do and he wanted to do everything he could to help her along her way.
He quietly ducked out of the house before the band's last song to make sure Jude didn't see him. He needed to go think about how he was going to get Jude into the studio and convince Darius that she's a star.
Jude ended her song with her eye lids shut. She was afraid to open them in case the audience's response to the song wasn't what she hoped. A few seconds later, after what seemed to be a long and unnerving silence, someone began clapping, which ignited the rest of the crowd to mimic the action. Jude slowly opened her eyes, and just as she did, a male form with brown hair retreated out the front door. Jude had to blink a couple of times to check her eyesight because she swore the person leaving looked exactly like Tommy. But the person was already gone, so Jude had no way of confirming or denying it.