Jude dreaded going to school. The fact that her band broke up was all over the news. It's almost as if her life was the only thing interesting going on. She also had to serve her detention that day.
"Jude, I think I may have solved your problem," Jamie said, during lunch.
"You figured out a painless way to end my life?" Jude said, moving her food from side to side on her tray.
"Not yet. But listen to this!" Jamie said, handing her a CD player. She turned it on and listened to a few songs.
"This is amazing. Who is this?" Jude asked.
"Well, you know how I've always wanted to be a manager?" Jamie asked.
"Who is this?" Jude asked again.
"And you know how you're my best friend in the whole world?" Jamie asked. Kat gave him a look and he gave her one back. Jude didn't know what was going on between them but she knew something was different.
"Who is this?" she repeated for the third time.
"WellyouseeyesterdayindetentionIconvincedWallyKyleandSpiedermantoletmemanagethemandItalkedthemintobeingyournewbackupbandaslongasyou'reokaywithallofthisandtheysoundreallygoodIthinkthisisagoodthing," Jamie said in one breath.
"Whoa, repeat that? Spiederman has a band?" Jude said.
"Spiederman's Mind Explosion. That's who you just listened to. And you said you like them. And they've willingly agreed to be your backup band," Jamie said.
"I didn't agree to this! I cannot be in a band with Spiederman, let alone share the same air as him," Jude said.
"I can barely share with you either, but it cost so much money to live in a plastic bubble," Spiederman said, sitting down next to Jude.
"Jude, you know that we're like the best band this town has to offer," Kyle said.
"No, I don't. Besides, shouldn't I get along with my band?" Jude asked.
"You get along with us," Wally said, sitting down at the table.
"I barely know you two," Jude said.
"All the better. You can't hate us, cause you don't know us," Kyle said.
"Yes, but I've known Speed since I was six. I think that's more than enough time to know that I hate him," Jude said.
"Dude, look, just give us a chance. You really need a band, and we really need a shot," Spiederman said.
"After school, meet me at the studio. I'll see if they'll let you play with me. Then I'll see if you're good enough to play with me," Jude said.
"Deal," Speed said. Their friends watched in disgust as both Jude and Speed spat into their hands and shook. It was something they did as kids, and they never grew out of it.
"You two need a new way to agree on things," Kat said, handing both of them some hand sanitizer. Jude and Speed looked at each other and laughed.
After Jude served her time in detention, she was greeted by Jamie, Speed, Wally, Kyle, and Kat?
"Are you joining us too?" Jude asked.
"Uh, yeah, that won't be a problem, right?" Kat asked.
"Of course not. You're my best friend for a reason," Jude said, smiling. They all squeezed into Speed's van and drove off the G Major.
"So Tommy, what do you say?" Jude asked him. She just let him listen to SME's demo.
"Let's see how this sounds. Ladies and gentlemen, Jude Harrison featuring her new backup band, Spiderman's Mind Explosion," Tommy said.
"It's Spiederman," Speed said. Tommy turned around and glared at him.
"Whatever. It's a stupid name. But if this is what you want, I'll let you give them a chance. Here's a key to studio 15, you guys can use it. If Jude decides you guys don't work, you are to leave," Tommy said.
"You're not going to come listen to us?" Jude asked.
"I would love to but -," he managed to say before his phone rang.
"I've gotta take this," Tommy said, walking off with his phone. If Jude didn't know any better, she'd say he was smiling. Ever since they kissed, he's been acting weird around her. Well, weirder than usual.
"Alright guys, you heard Quincy, let's go," Jude said, leading the way to the empty studio. They set up their instruments and looked at Jude.
She picked up her guitar and started playing a few chords and Speed picked it and started playing with her. Wally plugged in his bass and started jamming with the two. All that was needed was Kyle on drums.
Jude could tell by the smile on Jamie's face that they sounded good. No, they were better than good, they were amazing.
"Jude!" Tommy yelled. Everyone stopped playing and looked at the producer.
"Yes?" Jude asked.
"You've got yourself a band," Tommy said.
"Ohmigawd!" Jude exclaimed and hugged the nearest person to her – Speed. He liked the way she smelled, and the way she seemed to fit in his arms. And then he immediately hated himself for thinking that.
"Ew. No idea why I just did that," Jude said, pushing him away.
"You guys are gonna need to practice. Everyday. The tour starts in three weeks. You've gotta be perfect by then," Tommy said.
"I have to be around him even longer? Two classes and lunch is more than enough," Jude said.
"We're tour buddies now. You'll never get rid of me," Spiederman said, laughing.
"Why did I agree to this?" Jude said, smiling on the inside. She knew she was in for the time of her life.