AN: For those of you who are interested as to why I was writing this, I wanted to present a glimpse of Tommy's family, since we never see it on TV (we don't know anything about Tommy's family, only Jude's situation with friends, family, school, and of course her career).
Special ANs:
Tanya, thanks for being my first reviewer. And thanks for offering your suggestions. I might just need them sometime. You rock!
Rachel, I'll try to keep it good, so that you'll keep reading!
Ally, thanks for reading/reviewing. You're one of my most consistent reviewers, and I hope you keep it up!
Chloe, you asked, I answered.
So everyone, here's the next chapter. I hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star, the characters, the songs, the newspaper, anything. Just the plot. And Tommy (lol). Just kidding. But it would be great if I did.
Chapter 2: Getting Acquainted
Jude started running after Monique and Chris, who'd taken off in the direction of the studio.
I raced after them, and felt my legs turn to jelly. I really need to exercise more.
I ran up to the studio, where Chris and Monique had already set up the VCR and were putting the tape in.
"Gimme that!" I snapped, trying to grab it away from them.
"Jude, catch!" Chris said, tossing the tape to her. Jude caught it easily, and gave me a triumphant look.
"Fine," I scowled at her, as she placed a kiss on my cheek. Then she whispered, "I'll make it up to you later, OK?"
"OK," I smiled, temporarily forgetting what it was I was chasing after her for. My memory returned as I watched myself on the television screen.
"OMG!" Jude laughed along with Monique and Chris. "Your white jumpsuit, and…and the bandanna…and those moves!" She pointed at the screen, laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.
"It's not that funny," I said to myself, since everyone else was too busy roaring with laughter to notice. I saw myself do all of the old dance moves, and I had to admit, I did look pretty funny.
Then Chris, brainiac brother of mine, suddenly spoke up. "Hey, wait a minute," he said, stopping the tape despite Monique's and Jude's protests, and my temporary relief. "I've got a better idea. Why watch the tape when you can get a live performance? I'm sure the outfit's still around somewhere." He and Monique laughed again, and Jude, that little traitor, joined in..
"Yeah, Tommy, I want to see that," Jude exclaimed.
"No way, it ain't gonna happen," I vowed. They'd have to kill me first.
"Come on, please?" Monique and Jude chorused. They gave me the look, the one that they both knew I couldn't resist. I felt my reserve beginning to give in, and finally nodded my head in defeat.
"Here, Tommy Q," Chris said, after rummaging through the closet and finding a box labeled Tommy Q's Things. "You still look like you could fit this."
"Oh no," I said, my face draining until it was almost as white as the suit and bandana I held in front of me. Then I felt a pair of arms snaking around my waist.
"Please, Tommy? Do it for me?" Jude could be so persuasive when she wanted to be. I snapped.
"Alright, but no laughing, OK?" I went over to the closet to change, while Jude and Monique and Chris talked.
After I was done, I opened the door and ignored the laughter around me.
Chris held up the microphone, and spoke into it, "Ladies and gentlemen, do we have a treat for you tonight! Next up is our very own Little Tommy Q, Boyz Attacker extraordinaire. He'll be performing…"
"Dude, shut it," I scowled.
Monique slipped a disc into the CD player, as the familiar notes started playing.
"I was adrift on an ocean all alone…" I started, my voice coming out barely over a whisper.
"Louder, we can't hear you!" Monique encouraged.
"You came and rescued me, when I was far from home," I continued, looking at all of them in horror. I couldn't believe they made me do this.
"Great! But don't forget the dance moves!" Chris added, winking at me.
"Rush of love around my heart…" I started adding the dance moves, and felt my natural urge to perform kick in. I slowly forgot who was around me, and lost myself in the words and the movements.
After it was all over, Monique, Chris, and Jude clapped loud and hard, Jude's being the loudest of all.
"Thank you," Jude said, scooting over to sit next to me.
I looked in her eyes, and lied through my teeth. "It was nothin'."
Suddenly, I heard a throat clear behind me. It was Jacques, who came with a cart full of freshly toasted strawberry Pop-Tarts, a pitcher of milk, and some Evian.
"Masters and Misses, your snacks are served." Jacques said, leaving the cart to us. "If you need anything else, just press this button." He gave us a buzzer that would let him know if we needed anything.
"Thank you, Jacques," Jude said, going over and taking a tray. Then she sat back down.
"It's my pleasure, miss," Jacques beamed at her, then left.
"Thanks," Chris said, going over to Jude and reaching for one.
Jude slapped his hand away. "Get your own tray, this is mine!" Jude mumbled between mouthfuls.
"Oh, OK," Chris looked embarrassed. "Of course it is, you're eating for two."
"Excuse me?" Jude stood up. Her mood swings were starting to get worse and worse.
"Chris, just let it go," I stepped between them before Jude ripped Chris to pieces.
"Jude, come on, he didn't mean anything by it, OK?" I urged.
"Yeah, sorry," Chris was turning a deep shade of red by now.
"No, I'm sorry, it's just this kid has a huge appetite. And when it's starving, I'm starving. And when I'm starving, I get cranky. Besides, you can have some from the other tray," Jude said, just as Monique was about to pick hers up.
"Don't look at me, this is mine," Monique said defensively. She looked on the second level, and said, "Wait, there's a couple more plates. They're just cookies, though." She returned her attention to the Pop-Tarts.
"Peanut butter?" I said, just as Chris said, "M&M?" We looked just where Monique looked, and sure enough, there were plates for each of us. Remind me to thank Jacques one day. He knew us better than anyone.
The four of us sat there munching on our snacks, and were too busy to talk. Jude and Monique finished first, then started talking.
"So, Monique, what do you do?" Jude said, trying to make conversation.
"Me? I'm an artist. With a name like Monique, what else would I be?" Monique laughed at herself, and Chris cut in.
"I'm a music critic," Chris said, answering before Jude asked. "I work for the Sun. And you both work for G Major, Tommy as a songwriter/producer, and you as a singer/songwriter. And what do you like to do in your spare time?"
"I…" Jude was about to answer when my cell phone went off. Kwest's picture flashed across the screen.
"Kwest, man, 'sup?" I said, knowing Kwest never called unless it was important.
"T, we got a meeting down here. Bring Jude too," Kwest explained.
"What's going on?" I wondered. "It better be important. I'm at my mom's. Chris and Monique are here too"
"Your mom's?" Kwest was surprised. "You're still there?"
"Yeah, so?" I responded.
"Nothing, I just thought…never mind. Just get down here ASAP. Bring them if you have to." I heard the line go dead as Kwest hung up.
"Sorry guys, business calls," I said, pulling Jude up with me.
"Ooh, can we come?" Monique squealed.
I stood there, debating for a few seconds. "OK, just don't touch anything when you get there. You too, Chris."
"Cool!" Monique shrieked, then looked at her outfit. "Oh wait, I need to change."
"We don't have time for that," I said, shaking my head at her. Monique could be so much like Jude, and when she wasn't, she could pass as Sadie.
"Fine," Monique pouted. "But if anyone knows I've been wearing the same clothes for over an hour…"
"Their hearts will stop in shock and they'll keel over and die of a massive heart failure," I joked. "They'll get over it, and so will you. Now come on!"
As I led them out the door, I saw Chris lean over and whisper to Jude, "Is he always like that?"
"Yup," Jude nodded. "That's my Tommy." She caught my eye and winked at me. I wanted to kiss her brainless right then and there.
AN: So, what'd you all think? I hope you liked it. If you did, please review. If you didn't, please review anyway, and let me know what I could do better. Thanks for reading!