Okay, so now...it's the last of the pre-written chapters--we're finally caught up on the story and it's to where everyone else is at on the otherff-sites. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter (Erin McKinley, an addict, jackjackio, LuvTommy56, Tommys my 21, burninsecretskept, cecapo3610, riotgirllina, babyf, Duddley111, iamthatplace, bookworm0408, RockerChick13, and LittleZurawski)
"What if she says yes?"
"Then you're a dumb ass."
"She could say no…"
"You'd still be a dumb ass."
"You're always so reassuring Kwest…I can't imagine what I'd ever do without you." I comment sarcastically. I'm pacing up and down my hospital room, pushing my IV bag along. The VMA's are on another stupid Pepsi commercial. "I can't handle this," I sigh heavily.
"You must hate that realization," Kwest responds, non-sympathetically.
"I'm hanging up," I groan, flopping back onto the hospital bed.
"Because I'm not feeling sorry for you?"
"Not exactly," I grunt.
I should have just told her, but then she would have went to the awards, he would have asked her, and then she would have been pissed at me for telling her I loved her just because Jax was going to propose.
Kwest sighs, "You should have told her a long time ago…like 5 years ago, when you first met her."
"Um, I can't remember correctly now, but wasn't it you who informed me that I was crossing the line between producer and artist when she was 16? Wasn't it you who made a crude comparison to Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola?"
"Who would have thought you would have actually listened to me though? Did you listen to me when I told you notto go out with Sadie?" he asks, already knowing the answer. "No. You didn't. Did you listen to me when I told you not to wear the white jumpsuit and the bandanna?"
"I really didn't have a say in that matter," I interject.
He continues, ignoring my last statement. "Did you listen to me when I told you, you couldn't handle a trip to Miami with Jude? Alone? No. You didn't."
"Hey, I'm not doing that badly with the situation with Jude," I protest.
I'm not doing that bad. I've been a complete gentleman the entire time. Except when I was taking of the bee-sting thing…and picking at her when she um—seen most of me, that morning in the hotel…and taking pictures of her just now when she tripped over the bear. But that was funny. And she told the nurse I was gay. That's a lot worse than me taking pictures of her wrestling a bear.
As a matter fact, I still owe her some payback points. She told the woman I was gay. Then again isn't that clear evidence that she still wants me? Making sure the nurse and I don't develop any—'thing' while I'm locked up in here…
"I'm definitely handling the situation with Jude."
"Oh that's why there's numerous tabloids with you guys pictures plastered across them…that's why you're apparently having emotional breakdowns…that's why you're in the hospital…"
"I'm not having breakdowns…it's fatigue and exhaustion."
"We both know what is…sexual frustration and lack of fuc--"
"AWARDS are back on now," I interrupt, loudly.
"Saved for now," he comments.
Damn he's just so funny now days. Just hilarious! I fume a few more seconds, but I quickly forget when the host announces Jude and Avril to the stage.
They walk out onto stage, coming from opposite directions, and meeting up simultaneously at the glass, modern-looking podium. Jude's decked out in a satin green dress that exudes sophistication and elegance. Avril dressed in a black
"Have mercy," I groan, promptly sitting down, as the camera zooms in on Jude's figure.
Kwest laughs at me. "I'm guessing those are gentlemanly thoughts…"
I shake my head in amazement. "All I know is better not come of here tonight in that dress."
Kwest chuckles, as we both focus back on the show.
"Nice dress Pop Princess," Avril smirks, looking Jude up and down, and rolling her eyes.
"Well. You know…I thought it was cocktail attire this year, or I would have worn my hooker boots too," Jude smiles, angelically. The crowd erupts into the ooh's--egging on the bogus catfight.
Jude and Avril let the forced laughter echo into the microphone before stopping abruptly and giving each other death stares.
"And if I would have cared that it was cocktail attire, I would have let my fairy godmother dress me too, Princess."
Jude mocks a laugh, leans on the podium, and looks into the camera. "Anyway," she sighs. "The nominees for best Rock Video are…"
The videos that are nominated for that category play in the background, as my insides turn inside out. I could have sworn that Jax said something about him coming in while Jude was presenting the award. Hell, maybe I have it twisted. Or perhaps—dare I say it? He chickened out.
"Dear father, who art in heaven," I whisper, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed.
"Are you praying? You should have started that a while ago. And I thought you weren't religious," Kwest says, interrupting me mid-prayer. I'd forgotten he was still on the line.
"It's not too late to find a little faith," I sigh, forcing myself to watch the television screen.
" 'Praying should be a first resource not a last resort.'" Kwest informs me.
I completely ignore him as the camera pans back on Avril and Jude at the podium.
Two 8 year-old girls, walk on stage and handed Jude and Avril the envelope that contained the winner's name. One of the girls in ripped jeans and a wife-beater with bright fiery-red hair and the other with mousy brown hair, ripped jeans, a band tee with a red-necktie, complete with a tiara.
"I am going to barf," Avril stated in a monotone.
"Aw, they just look up to us."
"What they need is some originality," Avril scoffed.
"And you think you're the first ever female to wear a neck-tie? That's like saying I was the first one to die my hair red."
"Well that would be lie because you're not original."
Again the crowd erupts into jeers.
"Excuse me," Jude snaps.
"Who started the whole angry/punk-rocker/chick thing? That would be me.
"Who died their hair blonde first?" Jude asked, placing her hand on her hip. "That would be me."
"I have you know, I wasn't thinking about you when I dyed my hair blonde…"
"And I wasn't thinking about you when I was going through my whole angry/punk-rocker/chick era."
"I would properly introduce you face to my fist your face," Avril smirked, as a spotlight shown down on Jax center stage. Jude's looking at Avril with a look of complete shock because of her sudden improvised lines. She's still oblivious to Jax sitting behind her on a stool, even as the crowd's volume amplifies by a few decibels.
"But that would suck for your boyfriend, you know to see you in a such a state," Avril shrugs, and nods her head in Jax's direction.
Jude looks at her curiously and before slowly turning around to see Jax, sitting on the stool center stage, looking as if he were ready to sing. Jude quickly turns back around, resting her head in her hands, hiding a look of surprise and slight embarrassment. The audience can see Jude covering her mic and whispering something to Avril, who just laughs it off.
"Jackson Johansen, ladies and gentlemen," she introduces, waving and exiting the stage, as piano music begins to play.
I notice the first keys of the song immediately. "He is not going to attempt to sing that song," I laugh…I'm not sure out of nervousness or bewilderment or what. How can he stand there and try to sing a song live, off key, and in front of 10 million people, not to mention the actual studio audience.
"I think he is," Kwest says.
"You are so beautiful…to me," he sang, standing from his stool, and walking the short distance to where astounded Jude was standing. He reached for her hand and gently pulled her toward him. She reluctantly let go of the podium, and let him lead her back towards center stage, to the seat he had occupied.
He sings a few more lyrics before the curtains rise behind them and the Harlem Boys Choir drowns out his screeching. Midway though the song, the singing stops and just the instrumental part of the song is heard as Jax kneels down on one knee as the crowd seems to hold it's breath.
"Jude," he smiled, "We've loved together. Laughed together. And grown so much closer to one another over the past half a year. And I know it's a little sudden, but I've been thinking about asking you this question since the moment I laid eyes on you…." He trailed off, reaching into his pocket bringing out a small, black velvet box, opening it up and displaying to Jude. Jude promptly looks at the ring and gazes at it admiringly.
"She hates the ring," I smirk.
"Man, it doesn't even matter. He made a fool out of himself for her. He's in."
"Whose side are you on?"
"Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" Jax asked, looking into Jude's eyes.
Jude nods excitedly, as she and Jax stand to fully embrace each other.
"So that's a yes right?" Jax confirms, laughing good-naturedly.