Part 7- Pretend

Jude

Ringggg Ringgggg

Jude's eyes fluttered as she tried to register the sound that was filling her head. She slowly sat up and realized she had been laying on the floor, passed out. Rubbing her aching head, she made a mental note that she should sleep more often, not wanting to faint and harm the baby. Her tongue rolled around in her mouth and she quickly went to the sink to brush her teeth. Rushing out of the bathroom she picked up the phone. "Hi?" "Jude?" "Yes this is she. Who is this?" "Tell me you haven't forgotten me already. I guess there really is no room for me in your New York City lifestyle." Jude rolled her eyes. "I could never forget you even if I wanted to Patsy." She sighed into the phone, happy to finally speak to one of her best friends after so long
"You don't know how good it is to hear your voice. How are you?"
"I'm good, me and Jimbo here are leaving for Barbados tomorrow"
Jude smiled, happy for her friend. Patsy and Jamie had gotten married last year but since both of them had such hectic schedules, thanks to Darius making Patsy tour all of North America and Jamie flying all over the world looking for new talent, they had to postpone their honeymoon.

"JUDE!"

She realized she had stopped listening and put the phone back to her ear. "Sorry Patsy. What did you say?" "Blondie, are you okay? Is pretty boy there taking care of you?" Jude froze, not knowing how to answer the question. Should she tell her about the past week, or should she pretend nothing is wrong. She decided to take the easy way out. "We're fine," She said praying that Patsy would believe her. "Are you okay? You sound weird." "Yeah, I'm just tired." She heard Patsy laugh at the other end of the line. "That's such bull Blondie. I could always tell when you were lying. There's something wrong and you're not telling me what it is so spill." "I'm okay Patsy." "What is it, pretty boy hasn't proposed yet?".
At the thought of Tommy proposing, Jude began to cry. "Whoa whoa. What's with the crying? Jude?" Jude went to the kitchen and blew her nose. Putting the phone back to her ear, she said "Patsy?" "I'm right here Jude." Jude mumbled something that she couldn't decipher. "Do you think you can say that louder? I don't have super sonic hearing." "I'm pregnant" Jude could feel Patsy shrug across the phone "And? That sounds great. Is that what's bothering you? Quincy boy not wanting an heir to the boy band throne?" "That's not it."

Jude tried to calm her breathing before speaking the words that would finally make all of this real.
"He cheated on me Patsy.
He cheated on me with one of his interns."

She heard Patsy mumble something, a curse probably before she came back on the phone.

"What are you going to do about the baby Jude? You gonna keep it?"
"Of course I'm going to keep it Patsy. I'm not going to punish the baby for having an asshole for a father." "And what about Tommy?" "I don't know Patsy. I don't know" She repeated softly.
Silence greeted Jude until Patsy replied in a low voice
"Do you want me to kick his ass?"
A small sad smile broke onto her face.

"No, I don't want to ruin your honeymoon."
"You sure? Me and Jamie can easily trade in our tickets and fly out there. I'll beat him up while you and Jimbo watch."
Jude smiled "You're one of a kind Patsy. I'll never find another friend like you"
"You better believe it"
"Even though your offer is tempting, this is something I need to figure out on my own."
"Alright but remember that no matter what Blondie, I got your back alright? Call me anytime, day or night and I'll be there in a second."
"Thanks Patsy. I'm sorry for putting all of this on you before your trip."
"Don't worry about it Jude. You take care of yourself alright?"
"I will. Have fun and tell Jamie hi for me."
"Can do. Later Blondie."
"Bye."

Jude placed the phone in it's charger.
The emptiness of the apartment causing an ache in her heart.
It's silence asking her to make a decision.

Tommy

Finally dressed, Tommy went into the kitchen for coffee. He saw the sink overflowing with dishes and the garbage filled to the top. Ever since Jude left him, he couldn't bring himself to clean his apartment. Didn't want to accidently find anything that belonged to her. After finishing his cup, he went to the hallway closet and put his leather coat on, trying to ignore her various shoes and coats. He opened his door, leaving his empty apartment, without even glancing in the mirror on the wall.
Outside, the bright sun blinded him. He glanced around and saw dozens of cars speeding down the street, hundreds of people walking down the sidewalk. He was half surprised to see that the rest of the world still moved and hadn't stopped like his world did.
Soon he realized the people pushing by him, trying to move him out of the way so he turned left and walked towards 42nd street. Standing in front of one of Darius' many studios, he couldn't make himself enter. Wouldn't be able to enter the place he had spent many hours with Jude.

Writing lyrics
Making music
Glances at each other from both sides of the glass
Sweet moments kissing in his office

He wouldn't be able to pretend that everything was normal. Most of all he didn't want to see that girl again.

The intern
The start of all his problems

Jude never liked her, always suspicious that she would try and steal Tommy from her. He reassured her. Promised her that he would never look at another woman for the rest of his life. He began to hate himself even more than he though possible

Another promise he had broken

The most disgusting part of all of this was that this girl caused him to make the worst mistake of his life

...and he couldn't even remember her name.