"Best Friends"

Summary: Tommy Quincy hates Jamie Andrews with a passion. But why? Takes place after "Date With the Night."

Disclaimer: All chapter titles are songs by Fall Out Boy. Also I don't own anything related to "Instant Star" except for a couple of Jude-centric fantasies.

Author's Note: This chapter was a little slow in coming out.

88

Tommy entered the Andrews home, presents tucked under one arm, to find Stuart and Sadie in the living room talking about the day's meal. "Hey," he greeted, dropping the presents on the couch. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Stuart said, shaking his hand.

"Where's everybody else?"

"Kwest is on his way over with Mason and Jude and Jamie are still sleeping," Sadie answered.

"And what about me?" a voice came from the kitchen.

"How's it going, Nana Andrews?" Tommy called out.

"Just fine," came the terse reply.

"She's been in the cooking sine six this morning," Stuart whispered.

As Sadie placed Tommy's presents under the tree, Kwest and Mason arrived. "Tom would mind waking up the lovebirds?" Stuart asked as he and Kwest helped themselves to some hot chocolate Nana had brought out.

"Sure," Tommy said, inwardly wincing. "No problem."

88

Tommy made his way up to Jamie's room and gently knocked on the door. "Jamie, Jude," he said. "Guys, come on. Everyone's waiting on you." When there was no answer, Tommy knocked again. Finally, the telltale sound of a cane reached Tommy's ears.

Jamie opened the door, bleary-eyed and in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pajama bottoms, a look of confusion on his face. "Tommy?"

"Put some clothes on, Andrews," Tommy said. Jamie continued to stare at him. "It's Christmas."

"Shit," Jamie cursed, walking back into the room. Tommy had a clear view of Jude lying on the bed, her blonde hair laying all over her pillow, crowning her face. Tommy almost stopped breathing, she looked so beautiful. Then Jamie, now wearing a shirt, appeared in front of him.

"We'll be down in a minute," he said, gently pushing the door closed. Tommy sighed, trying futilely to get the image of a sleeping Jude out of his head. He made his way back down the stairs and a few minutes later Jamie and Jude followed. Tommy couldn't help but notice Jude's growing stomach, which fit nicely into The Clash t-shirt she had on. That feeling soon dissipated when he realized that the shirt was actually Jamie's.

"Shall we?" Mason asked, once everyone had settled in.

Almost immediately presents were handed out; once everyone had theirs Nana Andrews gave the signal and the opening began. Tommy looked over his: driving gloves from Nana, a new leather jacket from Mason, a 'Little Tommy Q' bobble head from Stuart, and a copy of Casablanca, his favorite movie, from Sadie and Kwest. Jude and Jamie's present was the only left. Glancing at the couple, he saw Jamie putting on the fedora that he had gotten him while Jude laughed at something Mason had gotten her.

Finally he picked up the package and opened it. It was a framed picture of the three of them taken not long after Jude's concert at her school. Tommy felt an uncharacteristic swell of emotion and hoped no one noticed his face scrunching up. He again looked over at Jude and Jamie; Jude was opening her present from him. It was a simple silver heart necklace, but it was one that Jude had talked about for months. Tommy could see in her eyes that she was moved by the gift. She turned and their eyes locked. 'Thank you,' she mouthed to him.

Before he could say 'You're Welcome', Jamie had opened Jude's gift to him and was kissing her. Tommy excused himself for a moment, going outside to cool down. When he returned, Jude was singing Christmas songs and Jamie was dressed and wearing the fedora. "Tommy," he said, limping over. "I was kinda hoping we could talk."

"Not now Andrews," he said, not wanting to talk to anyone, let alone him.

Jamie tried to say but Tommy simply continued walking, not looking back.

88

As the day wore down, Jamie became more and more nervous. While his Nana, Sadie and Mason had no idea why he was shaking ever so slightly, Tommy and Kwest knew. He was going to propose to Jude. While Jude was in the bathroom, Kwest helped him get Stuart alone so he could ask for the man's blessing. After receiving it, Jamie had waited until Jude emerged from the bathroom before taking her into the kitchen. "What's up?" she asked.

Jamie pointed upward, and while Jude looked up at the mistletoe, he pulled the small box out of his back pocket and opened it. Jude looked back at him and a stunned look crossed her face when she saw the ring. "Jude Elizabeth Harrison," he began, "Will you marry me?"