"Whenever we're together no one's a star
I can pour it all out right from the heart"
Creating a new song isn't all that different than going to school. You have to put in hours of hard work.
"If it's up to me we'll never be apart"
You put yourself at this mercy of your teachers.
"I love it. It's got summer hit written all over it," Georgia said to Tommy and EJ in the studio while Jude was singing in the booth.
"Completely. Totally agree," said EJ.
"Now it's time to kick our PR up a notch. I wanna get some public reaction before we release this single."
"How public we talking?" He asked.
"Well we arranged a sneak peek at her school auditorium this Friday. We want her playing to her classmates and half a dozen cameras. Think she's ready to take this live?" Tommy looked at her through the glass with a smile after she smiled at him.
And all you really want to know is if you pass the test.
"She's good to go."
"I'm in love with my guitar," she sang into the microphone. She turned around to see all three smiling at her so she smiles back.
"You're gonna rock that school tomorrow. Make sure you play with Steph in the morning so I don't have to deal with you freaking out," he said smirking at her.
"Whatever Quincy. Don't be jealous a two year old can handle me and you can't," she said with a laugh. He just rolled her eyes.
"Just get your beauty sleep. I'll pick you up at 9," he said as she got out of his Viper.
"Yeah right. I had way too much coffee to sleep now. But we all know you need your beauty sleep, so good night."
"Night Girl," he said before driving off. After she made sure he was out of sight, Jude ran over to Jamie's house, grabbed some rocks, and threw them at his bedroom window.
"Hey," he said sleepily after opening his window.
"Hey!" she said smiling.
"You know, someone really needs to tell you about this new technology. It's called the telephone."
"Whatever. Just shut up and catch Rapunzel," she said as she threw a CD up at him.
"Wow! Look at you all sassy," he said taking in the picture on the CD.
"Yeah. It's cool, huh? It's just a demo, but listen to the first track cause that's what I'm performing at school tomorrow." He opened the case.
"I'm in love with my guitar," he said, laughing a little bit.
"Yeah. Make sure you're there. Kat's out of town and I need you. You're my only wingman, alright?"
"Judeapolooza." he called out to her as she runs back to the sidewalk. "Wouldn't miss it."
"Night," she said running up her steps.
"Night," he yelled back before disappearing into the house.
"Hey. Sorry, Tommy wanted to make sure I was ready for tomorrow," said Jude as she walked into her living room her parents watching the news. She kissed them both on their cheeks.
"It's okay. But Steph passed out on the window seat. I tried to tuck her in, but she cried," her dad said to a passed out Stephanie on the window seat with a throw blanket over her.
"Yeah, she can't sleep if I don't sing to her," said Jude walking over to the window seat and sitting next to Stephanie. "Baby girl. Come on, wake up."
"Mommy?" Stephanie asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Hi sweetie," said Jude rubbing her hair.
"Where were you? Aunt Sadie didn't look at the stars with me," the little girl said leaning against her mom with a sad look.
"I had to work late with Tommy. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. But right now we gotta get you in your bed. Come on," she said, picking her up and cradling her daughter to her stomach.
"Oh Jude," her dad called after her as she started up the steps.
"Yeah?"
"Jason called. He asked to have you call his cell phone when you got back. He didn't care what time it was."
"Is he okay? Is everything alright?" Jude asked in a panic.
"He said everything and everyone was fine. He just needs to talk to you," her dad said trying to calm her down.
"Uncle Jason talked to me tonight. He said he loves me," Steph said from Jude's shoulder.
"Yeah baby, Uncle Jason loves you very much. He wants mommy to call him back." Jude tucked Stephanie into her bed, kissed her forehead and sang her to sleep.
After Jude got Stephanie to sleep, she walked into her bathroom and got herself ready for bed. As she walked through her bedroom to her computer, she scrolled through her cell phone's phone book when she came to "Jason's Cell!" She hit talk and placed the phone to her ear.
"Hey Superstar," a male voice greeted her as she was logging into her e-mail account.
"Jason! Hey. Oh my god, I'm so sorry I haven't called you in forever. Things have been crazy nuts," she told him while deleting her junk mail.
"It's okay. I bet you've been busy. I saw you won Instant Star. I told you you could do it. Congrats."
"Thanks. So my dad said you called. What's up?"
"I'm gonna be in town for a few days and I was wondering if I could pick up Steph."
"Sure. I already have you on the list of people that can pick her up. Just make sure you have a picture ID when you go. Jessica IDs anyone that's not me. Even my parents, so you not that special," she added the last part with a teasing voice.
"Please, you know I'm the most special person in your life," he teased right back.
"Yeah you are," she said with a smile.
"Jude! God shut up. I'm trying to get some sleep. Get off your damn phone and go to sleep. It's midnight already," Sadie yelled as she stormed into Jude's room.
"Uh A, thanks for knocking. And B, Take a damn chill pill," she said covering the mouthpiece of her phone. Sadie just huffed and went back into her room. "I gotta go Jason. Princess Sadie is throwing a hissy fit, plus I have a show at 4 tomorrow at my school. So I should be getting to sleep," Jude said, logging out of her e-mail account and smiling at her background.
"Alright. Good night Superstar, I love ya."
"Night Jason. Love you too. See you in a few days." And they both hung up.
Jude smiled at the background on her computer. It was a picture of Jason, herself, and Stephanie on a slide at the park the past fall. Jason was in town for a friend's wedding and had stopped by to see his two favorite girls before he headed back to New York. They picked up Wendy's on the way and had a picnic with just the three of them. Stephanie had wanted to go down the slide with her Mommy and Uncle Jason, so after the three of them got settled at the top, Jude asked Kat, who was there with her cousin, to take a picture of them. Jason was in the very back, with Jude in front of him, and Steph in front of her. The three of them where all smiles and rosy cheeks from the cool air, but it didn't matter. Jude loved the picture. It was her favorite.
Jason was Nick's older brother, and Nick was Stephanie's dad. Jason's six years older then Jude, but he was still her best friend. He was the one that made the call to let Jude know that Nick had passed on in his sleep, and he had been with Jude through everything. He truly was her best friend. Sure she had Kat and Jamie, but Jason had been and always would be there for Jude no matter what.
"So how long is she grounded for?" Sadie asked, walking into the kitchen the next morning.
"Who?" ask her dad while placing papers in his briefcase.
"Jude. She missed curfew last night," she said looking at her cup as she poured herself some apple juice. She looked up at her parents who didn't say anything. "Come on guys. I can't stay out past eleven on a school night, but what, my little sister can? Oh and she can stay up on her cell phone till almost midnight too?"
"That was different honey. Jude was working. And about her being on her phone, Jason called while she was at the studio and asked that I had her call him back when she got in, that it was really important that he talk to her."
"You know, if you're gonna have a different set of rules for Jude and I now that she all famous or whatever, you might as well write them down," she said holding out a pad of paper and a pen. "Just so I can keep track," she finished sarcastically and walked out of the kitchen.
"Do you remember when they were too young to talk back?" Victoria asked Stuart.
"Uh huh," he said nodding.
"I miss those days."
"So do I. Lunch," he says handing her a lunch box and kissing her goodbye and she leaves the kitchen.
A few hours later, Jude is walking down her hallway with Tommy on her right with his arm around her shoulders keeping her close to his side, her principle on her left, with EJ and Georgia behind her. Girls everywhere were staring at her and gasping when they saw Tommy. One girl dropped her books and when Tommy picked them up for her, she passed out.
"Okay it's so surreal having you here," Jude said looking up at him.
"Yeah, it's even weirder for me. You know. I never did the whole high school thing. Pretty much got drafted into BoyzAttack right out of junior high."
"Trust me you didn't miss much."
"You'll have to pardon our students. We're not use to having a celebrity with your status with us. No offence to Jude. We all know she's the next big thing and Carson High is with her every step of the way. Oh Jude, that reminds me. Can I get you to sign this?" her principal asked handing her a pen and a paper.
"Uh sure," she said taking it. "Um, this is one of my math tests."
"I know. My daughter said I had to get you to sign something of yours for her," he said before walking over to two boys that are goofing off.
"Wow. This is kinda freaky."
"Better get used to it, cause I promise you by this time next year you won't even be able to walk down the street without someone stopping you and asking for one," he said just as her principle walked back up to them. She signed the paper quickly for him.
"Here you go Mr. Morris. I hope she enjoys my work of equations."
"Here's your itinerary. Read it, know it, love it," said EJ popping out of nowhere only to leave a second later.
"This is so embarrassing. Making a whole day about me?" Jude said walking up to Jamie.
"Please, you love it. Didn't have to come in till nine, showed up at school in a Viper with Little Tommy Q in tow," Jamie said smiling at her.
"Okay. So I kinda do. What, is that bad?"
"Not as bad as today's lunch special. Jude Jambalaya."
"Are you kidding me?"
"I never kid about jambalaya, Jude. I'm not that kind of guy."
"Okay, enough making me wait Mysterio. What do you think?" she asked as he opened his locker.
"About what?"
"About my song. What'd think? Do you like it?"
"Oh yeah. About that, that my CDd player kinda clunked out last night. Kinda ate it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Sorry."
"No, it's okay. I got another one. But do me a favor okay and listen to it in the library. I really need your opinion before I go on stage," she said, pulling a copy from her bag and handing it to him.
"To unveil it to the thickomasses. Kinda like a Gladortia facing the lions."
"Uh yeah, sure, she said laughing. "I'll see you later. I have an interview with Tommy and the school paper."
"Sadie Harrison report to the attendance office" is heard on the PA system as Jamie falls back on his locker letting out a deep breath.
"You paged me?" Sadie asked the secretary. The woman nodded and pointed behind Sadie's shoulder to her dad." What's wrong? Is grandma okay?"
"Grandma is fine. I came here to see you. I thought maybe we could play hooky together. Hang out."
"Okay now you're really weirding me out."
"I know that they're making a big event out of today for your sister. I thought you'd just might want to skip it."
"Well, what'd you have in mind?" she asked with a small smile.
"I kinda have to show you.
"Wow! Popular girl, Jude. Must feel great coming from all your friends," the E talk host said to Jude during their interview.
"Yeah, um it's cool. Kinda bazaar, but cool."
"Okay, so how have things changed for you since you won the contest?"
"Nothings really changed. I mean so much has, but so much hasn't. I'm still the same Jude that sucks at math."
"Aww come on."
"She's still the same slut that got knocked up the summer after grade 7," a girl said walking down the hall with her friend.
"Seriously. I thought everyday was Jude day," her friend said back.
"I'm so sick of hearing about her," she said stopping in front of a promo poster and ripping it down. After they walk out the front doors Jamie walked over and put it back up.
"I don't get it. Most of these kids don't even like Jude," Jamie said while walking down the steps with Tommy and EJ.
"But everybody loves the camera," Tommy said before walking away.
"Come on, get in there. She's waiting for you," EJ said, giving him a push towards Jude.
"So, artists have a lot to handle with the recording process alone. How do you handle that and school at the same time?" the reporter asked.
"Not to mention her two year old daughter she has to take care of," the girl from the hall said loud enough for everyone to hear. Everyone turned to her shocked. They all knew about Stephanie but weren't going to say anything about her. EJ and Georgia looked panicked, Tommy was looking at Jude who looked like she is going to burst into tears any second, and Jamie was glaring at the girl looking pissed. The reporter turned to Jude waiting for answers.
"Um yeah. It takes a lot. But my little girl is the best thing that's ever happened to me. She's my everything. She keeps me balanced. But so does this guy," she said grabbing Jamie. "This is Jamie. He's one of my best friends and my musical grand off. I trust his taste more then anyone's."
"Interesting Grand off. So you must have heard the new single. What's the word on the street?"
"It's uh... it's very enjoyable. In a uniquely familiar way."
"Sounds interesting. I'm excited."
"Okay. Thanks Kenya. I'm sorry but we're late for a sound check," said EJ grabbing Jude's arm and pulling her towards Tommy, and the three of them went back into the school.
"What's happing with your sister right now is just unbelieving exciting for her right now and I know it's been kinda hard for you," her dad said as they were walking around the mall.
"Not really."
"Oh really now? So you've been moody and acting out, cause what, the moon is full?"
"Dad-"
"Listen, mom and I've been talking. And we just think it's time you've had something really exciting in your life. Something to look forward too."
"What?"
"Didn't you say something about wanting to spend the summer in Europe?"
"No?" Sadie asked with a big smile.
"Yeah."
"You're serious?" she asked. He just smiled and nodded, causing her to scream and throw her arms around his neck in a hug. "Dad! Thank you!! I can't believe this."
"Come on, let's go."
"Okay. I can't believe you did this," she said as they walk into the traveling agent.
Back at the school, the two girls that were bashing Jude in the hallway were sticking folded up papers into every locker. Jamie grabbed one and opened it to read "Join the JUDE HARRISON walkout."
"Check. check." Tommy said into the microphone while him and Jude were sitting on the stage of the auditorium causing a squeak from one of the speakers. "What's with the feedback Rudy?"
"Sorry Tommy."
"Tommy, what do the words 'uniquely familiar' mean to you?" asked Jude.
"They mean I'm a deliberately obscured sixteen-year-old music nerd. Keep tuning, your G's flat," he said handing her her guitar.
"Okay. Seriously, what does it mean?"
"Jude, cut the chord all ready. You're about to serenade the whole school and you're stressing over one kid. Why?"
"Because it's Jamie," she said turning her guitar. A loud squeal went off.
"That better not be my amp morons," Tommy said to the guys working the board.
"Hey," Jamie said walking up to her.
"Hey. I was hoping you'd come."
"We need to talk. Now," he said leading her off the stage. "Don't go on stage. They're gonna crucify you."
"What? What are you talking about?" Jamie pulled out the Jude walkout flyer he found.
"Look," he said showing it to her. "A bunch of kids are in on it. They're gonna walk out on you in the middle of your song, embarrass you in front of the media. They even made t-shirts," he says holding one out for her to see. "They're aren't just evil. They're accessorized."
"That's so mean. Why would they do that?"
"Jude, you remember the time I butted in line at lunch and that jock went all smack down on me?"
"You practically lost fill-ins. But what does that have to do with this?"
"You're supposed to be in the background. Not the spotlight. Jude you jumped the line. Big time."
"Okay so. Big deal. If they don't like me, they'll like the song. They just have to hear it."
"Jude-"
"No Jamie, seriously. It'll win them over."
"Jude the song is bad." Her face fell. "I lied. I played it a million times hoping it would get better. You sound amazing in it. But the song, Jude, it's gimmicky corporate crap."
"Uh Jude," Tommy called from the stage as she was about to walk out of the gym. She turned to look at him. "You have some visitors," he said nodding to the right side of the stage. A guy around Tommy's age with dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, a muscular body, and a smile to die for was standing there holding Stephanie in his arms.
"Jason?!" Jude asked running back up to the stage.
"Hey Superstar," he said putting Steph down and walking over to meet Jude.
"Oh my god," she yelled before throwing her arms around his neck as he enveloped her in a giant hug. "What are you doing here?" she asked after he placed her back on the ground. "I thought you said you were coming into town."
"No, I said I was gonna be in town for a few days. I got in yesterday morning, I was gonna call you but I had meetings all day," he says tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Who's that?" Tommy asked Jamie when he joined them on stage.
"That would be Jason," said Jamie. Tommy just looked at him with a confused face.
"Nick's older brother."
"Dude, who is Nick?"
"Nick was Steph's dad."
"Was?"
"Jude'll tell you all about that when the time is right. But Jason," Jamie said nodding to Jason who was sitting on the edge of the stage with Stephanie in his lap and Jude right next to him. "Is pretty much Jude's best friend. He flies in about once a month to see Jude and Steph and flies them out to New York to spend the summer with him. He means the world to Steph and has helped and been there through everything with Jude. He's the one that talked her into entering Instant Star."
"Tommy. I want you to meet my best friend and Steph's uncle," Jude said walking up to them with Jason's left arm hanging loosely around her shoulders. "This is Jason. Jason, this is my producer Tommy."
"Tommy!!" Stephanie yelled happily from Jason's other arm.
"Hey squirt. Nice to meet you," Tommy said holding his hand out to Jason.
"You too. Steph's been going on all about you today," Jason said shaking his hand while looking him up and down before setting Stephanie back on the ground. She ran the few feet in between the two men and held her arms up to Tommy, gesturing for him to hold her.
"You been talking about me Squirt?" Tommy asked picking her up and tickling her.
"Yep," she laughed.
"All good I hope," he said turning back to Jude and Jason.
"So fifteen years old, first ever Instant Star. Your first concert is still getting thousands of hits a day on both your website and Youtube, 24 hours is number 2 on the charts, and you're almost finished with your first album. Things are happening fast for Jude Harrison. How do you feel?" the reporter asked her in the band room.
"It feels amazing. I never thought I would be here," Jude answered, playing with Stephanie's hair.
"Who's been your biggest support system through all of this?"
"I have a few. My dad, for sure. He loves music as much as I do. My friends Jamie and Kat. The three of us have spent many hours in my room working on my songs. Jason," she said smiling at him. "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have even entered Instant Star. And my baby girl," she said kissing Stephanie's head. "She's my biggest support system, my biggest fan, my muse. She's everything to me."
"Speaking of your daughter, what do you think the public is going to say?"
"They don't know me or my past. If they are going to judge me, then let them."
"What about the moms that aren't going to let their daughters listen to you?"
"I'm here to make great music. I don't think my personal life should have anything to do with that. If people aren't going to listen to me because of Stephanie then that's their choice."
"Can we try and keep the focus on Jude's music and not my niece?" Jason asked as he took a fidgety Stephanie from Jude. "I mean, up until a few hours ago, the media didn't even know she existed," he finished walking back to his spot by Tommy and the window. Jude tried to keep in her laughter.
"So how would you describe your new single?"
"That's a really good question right now. Um-"
"It's fun," EJ cut in. "Very hooky. You're gonna love it."
"Look, I'm not gonna lie to you. The song is bad. It's gimmicky corporate crap."
Georgia turns to Tommy for an answer. He mouthed "Jamie" to her.
"Jude?" Georgia called after her as she stood up and walked towards the door.
"I'm sorry. I can't do this right now," she said and walked out of the room. A pissed looking Tommy followed.
"Forget she said that," EJ said pointing at the reporter as she walked past him and out of the room.
"A quote like that? Not likely."
"Hey Goulmen," Tommy said to Jamie at his locker.
"That's Grand off," Jamie answered.
"Yeah, like either one is cool. Jude just blew an interview and ran off. Why?" Jamie sighed and pulled out the walkout flyer and Tommy took it. "Okay this is bad but?" Tommy pressed on after reading the flyer and knowing there was more to the story.
"Plus I kinda told her I hated her song." Tommy looked at him like he was ready to kill him. "I hated her song. Not her."
"To Jude that's the same thing man. You know, you may think you know about music, but you know jack when it comes to musicians."
"I know Jude!"
"Then you know she'd be able to handle this if she thought you had her back." Jamie sighed.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Whatever you said, unsay it. And stop messing with my artist's head. We are not having this conversation again, right?" Jamie just looked at him. "Right?!"
"Right," Jamie answered before slamming his locker shut and walking away.
"You are going to love this tour. See it covers England, Spain, and Rome," Yvette, the travel agent, said handing Sadie a book. "Uh Stuart, did you get a chance to look over those Caribbean pamphlets I sent you?"
"I'm definitely keeping them in mind," he said with a nod. "Yeah, for the next vacation."
"Good," she said before walking away.
"You know your Uncle Motrin and I danced though the Trevi Fountain together," Stuart told Sadie sitting down on Yvette's desk.
"I know dad. You've told me."
"We must have had four bottles of wine that night."
"Excuse me? You've never told me about four bottles of wine before Dad," she said teasing him, hitting him with her book.
"Well that was the kiddie version. I don't have to edit that stuff anymore. You're eighteen years old. It's time for you to go out in the world and have your own adventure."
"This must have cost you loads, huh? Guess I should be a pain in the butt more often."
"Don't push it," he laughed with her. "Yvette's our corporate travel rep. She got me a really good deal on this." Sadie tried to look at the price but he pushed her away. "Hey! No peeking," he said before hiding the folder in his briefcase.
"You're a very lucky girl to have such a sweet father," Yvette said handing her a piece of paper.
"I know," she said as Yvette left again. "Hey dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome Honey."
"No really. Thank you." Stuart just smiled at his daughter.
"Sweetie, come here," he said before pulling her into a hug.
Back at the school, Jude walked into the now empty band room and sat down on a desk with a clear view out the window. Jamie came in behind her waving a white flag in the air and cleared his throat. They looked at each other and she turned away.
"Jude, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. People are idiots if they're gonna walk out on you or your song."
"Do you really mean that?"
"Of course. It's not your fault that the song is lame. The studio made you go for a commercial cheesy sound. I get it." She didn't answer, just stared at him. "What?"
"I wrote the song Jamie. And if the song is lame, then so am I," she said standing up.
"Oh I didn't mean it like that. I'm just trying to make you feel better."
"Way to go genius. You just made me feel worse," she said walking out of the room in tears.
"I suck!" Jamie confirmed to the now empty room.
"And tonight I'm gonna make your favorite. Spaghetti Compasto," Stuart said to Sadie as they walked into the kitchen with bags full of groceries. "I'll be right back."
"Kay," she said while he walked away. When she was sure he was gone, she looked at the brochure to see how much her trip cost. "Wow. That is a good deal," she said looking at it. She looked at the left page and shrugged, but before she closed it, something in the bottom left corner caught her eye. It was a post it that read:
"Stuart - I can make it March 14-16! Can you get away then? xo Love, Yvette"
"Okay," her dad said as he entered from the far side of the kitchen. She closed it and slid it back into his briefcase before he could see anything. "I'll go get the last bag. You start the... What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she said, smiling the best she could.
Tommy pushed open the door to the girl's washroom only to come face to face with three girls touching up their make-up.
"Sorry. I'll be just a minute," he said, causing the three girls to giggle and walk out. "Tommy Q invades school girls washroom. Gonna read about that one tomorrow," he said walking over to Jude. "You're on in ten." When she didn't say anything, he said, "You know at Christina Aguilera's Prom, the whole dance floor emptied when they played her song."
"Great. I have to worry about my prom now too?" she asked wiping away her tears.
"I'm just saying. I've played empty rooms before. Every artist has."
"This isn't just another empty room, Tommy. It's my school auditorium! In front of all friends and cameras."
"I hate to break it to you Jude, but you are going to face worse. Bad reviews, empty stadiums, canceled tours. I need to know that you can handle that."
"Okay. Then tell me how not to care what people think."
"By caring more about what you think," he said, pulling her into a hug. "Don't you ever ask anyone's permission to like your own music. You understand me?" She didn't answer. "Do you love that song?"
"Yeah. I did," she said pulling away from him. "But then Jamie made me doubt it."
"Forget Jamie!"
"You know I love it."
"Don't let your friends or the crowd tell you if it rocks. You go out there and tell them. I believe in you."
"Here she is: Carson Hill's very own JUDE HARRISON!!" the principle yelled into the mic as Jude walked out onto the stage with the band.
"This is my new song and I think you'll gonna love it," Jude said into the microphone as Tommy, Jason, Steph, EJ, Georgia, and Mr. Morris all clapped. She started to play as the handful of walkouts walked out, some yelling things like "poser" and "you suck" on their way out. A guy seated towards the back even stood up and started booing. Jason, who was holding Stephanie, walked up behind his left shoulder when he saw Tommy walking to his right. Jason used the arm that isn't holding Stephanie to smack the guy upside the head. The guy turned to him, then to Tommy, scared.
"Boo again. I dare ya," Tommy told him with crossed arms.
"You meanie! My mommy rocks," Stephanie said before Jason set her down. She stepped on his foot very angrily before running away. When Jason and Tommy walk away, he started to cheer.
"Whenever we're together no one's a star
I can pour it all out right from the heart
If it's up to me, we'll never be apart
I'm in love with my guitar"
Eventually a bunch of students came up by the stage and started dancing while the remaining students cheered from their seats. Georgia, EJ, Mr. Morris, Tommy and Jamie were all smiling from their spots as they saw everyone enjoying and having a good reaction to the song.
"Keeper of my secrets
Part of all my dreams
Somehow we're connected
From a whisper to a scream
Whenever we're together no one's a star
I can pour it all out right from the heart
If it's up to me, we'll never be apart
Cause I'm in love with my guitar
I'm in love, I'm in love
I'm in love with my guitar" Jude finished.
"Way to go Mommy!" Stephanie yelled as she ran out onto the stage to Jude. She handed her guitar to Tommy and picked Stephanie up.
"Did you like it baby girl?" Jude asked, walking over to join Jason and Tommy in the wings.
"I loved it," Steph said happily before kissing her mom on the cheek.
"This is so exciting. I wish I toured Europe at your age. Or my age. Hint hint," Victoria said later that evening at dinner.
"Yeah, well dad seems to have an in at the travel agent. Maybe he could swing you a deal," said Sadie.
"Well in all events, it seems like everyone had the perfect day. Jude called earlier. Jason is in town and surprised her with Steph sometime this afternoon. So Georgia is taking the three of them, Tommy, and EJ out to dinner. Jude's show was a huge hit, but she said Jason was going to bring her and Steph home so we'll see him later," she said kissing them both on the cheek before walking out of the kitchen.
Later that night after Jason left and Stephanie was already tucked into bed, Jude walked outside and sat on her front steps just as Jamie was walking out of his house.
"Well I gotta tell you. Hearing your song live. Wow! It was awesome," he said walking over to her. She stood up on her tippy toes to be able to look him in the eyes properly. "What are you doing freak?"
"You're lying Jamie. I can totally tell." He sighed.
"I don't get it. I've always had my opinion about your songs. I liked to call it my creative contribution."
"I know, but you've always loved them. I dunno. I guess the stakes are higher now."
"Exactly. I wanna be the guy you come to, to be true with. And the truth is, I'm not always gonna like your songs. I need to know that that's okay."
"No it's not okay," she said with a frown. "But I'll live," she said as they both had smiles on their faces.
A/N: I can not say sorry enough for not getting this up sooner, but things have been crazy nuts. On top of my ac joint sprain in the shoulder (which is way better) I was in the hospital for almost two weeks and had to have lung surgery. I won't go into a long story but I pretty much had the phenimona for almost a year and didn't know it. They had to place chest tubes to try and drain my lungs of the liquid and that didn't work so they had to opprate and go in and pretty much scrape my lungs clean. I don't even know for sure what happened cause I was so far gone on meds, I honestly feel like I lost two weeks of my life. I feel asleep two weeks ago and when I finally came to enough to know what was going on around me it was a week later. That's how messed up it was. Apperently I had a lot going on top of that too like a kidney infection and what little bit I have left of my pancress was acting up. I got home on friday night but I'm still recovering and stuff. I have to get antibotics till the 25th and can't even go back to work for a week and that's only if my doc okays it.
Then I came home and watched season four. I'm just gonna say: UGH!! I get why they it ended like it did but I am SOOOOOOOOOO not happy about it. If I ever get around to updating my profile on here you all can read my thoughts on season four.
I tend to feel bad when I don't update, but sometimes I can't help it. But I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and the next one should be out soon. In the mean time read and review, they always make my day!