Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. If I did, Jude and Tommy would be together already.
Note: This takes place right before Tommy comes to pick Jamie up (AN: OK, that's so not the way it's supposed to sound ;o)! ) and they're about to head over to the abandoned place.
A Storm Is Brewing:
I sat on the steps, nervously glancing at my watch for the umpteenth time. Then I saw a familiar flash of blue, and immediately stood, striding over to the driver's window.
The window rolled down, and Tommy killed the engine. "Change of plans, Andrews."
"What?" I said, thinking I'd heard wrong.
Tommy smirked. Man, I hated that guy, but I really needed him to help me pull this off.
"Relax, don't forget to breathe," he said, with a ridiculous smile plastered all over his famous face.
"OK, I'm good," I smiled tentatively. "So what do you mean, change of plans?"
"I mean, I can't drive down there. I can't risk the chance that something'll happen to my Viper." Tommy smiled again, this time pointing at my car. "Why don't we take yours?"
"Fine, whatever, let's just go," I said through gritted teeth. I got in, as Tommy grabbed a baseball cap and some extra clothes before getting out of his Viper. He checked his appearance in the rearview mirror, then slid into the passenger seat, ducked down, and put on the clothes he'd brought with him. Then he slid some shades and a baseball cap.
"What's with the disguise?" I said stupidly, getting on the road
"OK, first, I don't want to be recognized in this run-down object you call a car. Second, I'd rather be recognized as someone who doesn't hang out with other guys. And third, I'm Tommy Q. I do have a reputation to uphold, you know, so I can't go around palling around with the best friend of my artist," Tommy said, trying to be all diplomatic and nice. I knew he wasn't.
"Listen, Tom," I said, stopping the car and jabbing my finger in his chest hard. He glanced down, then looked up again and smiled. My finger hurt like hell, but I'd rather be ripped apart by sharks then have him find out. "First, this was the only car I could afford with my own money. What'd you drive around in when you were my age? Oh yeah, you didn't. You were stuck in some smelly old tour bus with four other guys, and the stench is enough to kill a whole bunch of skunks." I paused, and noticed when Tommy looked up, slightly miffed. "Second, do you really think I want to be seen hanging around with Lil' Tommy Q? The infamous popstar known for shaking his boyband butt? Please, I'm not some starstruck, wildly adoring teenage girl." Tommy smirked, probably remembering his legions of attractive female fans. "And third," I interrupted his thoughts, "I need your help in getting Kat's attention." I changed that last part, knowing that if I insulted him, he'd never agree to my plan. But little did he know how devious I could be. I had some plans of my own to carry out, and little Tommy Q was going to be my pawn.
"OK, Andrews," Tommy nodded. "So, what do you plan on saying to her?"
"I'm going to say…uh…and then…um…and when she says…well then…" I stumbled over my lack of ideas, noting Tommy's amusement. "I'm glad you find me so funny."
"OK, I think you need lots of help, but you've come to the right person. Here's what you say…" Tommy said, instructing me.
We finally reached our destination, and I found it just as I remembered. I parked in front, and noticed that we were the only ones there so far.
"Did Kat know to meet you here at 4?" Tommy said, glancing at his 18-carat gold Rolex.
"Yeah," I said, annoyed. "Maybe she's inside. Do you want to go in?"
"Sure, scaredy-cat. You can wait out here, and in case she shows, let me know." Tommy pulled his cap over his eyes, and adjusted his shades one last time before going in.
A few minutes later, I got tired of waiting around, so I went to check on Tommy to see if Kat was there. He had his back turned to the wall, and was talking on his cell. He turned around, and I shrugged. He turned back to his conversation, and I'd barely left him alone when I saw Kat pull up. She wasn't alone.
"Jude, what are you doing here?" My heart began beating faster, knowing if Tommy were to come out right now, he'd be furious at her presence. They were still at odds with one another, and I didn't want to be caught in the middle of it.
"Kat asked me to come with her, so I did," Jude said, a little defensively. "Jamie, what's up?"
"Uh, Kat, would you excuse us please?" I pleaded.
"I thought you wanted to talk to me about something," she said, reluctant to leave.
"I do, it's just…I want to clear something up with Jude first." I wondered if she'd ever leave.
"OK, I guess I'll take a look around this place." Kat said, and wandered off.
Once we were alone, I said to Jude, "Jude, there's something I want to tell you, but I don't know how."
"Jamie, come on. You know you can tell me anything. You told me you hated my song, and I got over it. So it can't be that bad, is it?" Jude gazed at me with her big blue eyes, and I melted.
"It's worse," I said. "Look, Jude, I asked Kat to bring you here so you could make up with Tommy…"
"What?" Jude exclaimed. "Jamie, he's the last person I want to see right now, and we're not exactly on speaking terms. How could you do this?"
"Jude, you need him. He's your producer, and you two need to be on good terms so you can keep churning out those hit songs of yours."
"Fine, whatever Jamie. Forget Kat, I'm leaving," Jude said, stalking away.
"Jude, wait," I said, but she wouldn't listen. I ran after her, and grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving.
"What do you –" Jude said, her voice instantly muffled by my lips on hers. She immediately pushed me away, looking at me in confusion. "Jamie, I--"
Something in her voice told me that she was about to break my heart in a zillion pieces, but before she could say anything, I heard another voice behind me. This one was different, it was colder, angrier.
"Care to tell me what's going on, Andrews?" Tommy spat out. I didn't have to turn around to know his eyes were shooting daggers at me. I slowly turned around, and realized the depth of what I'd done, because Kat was standing right next to Tommy, her mouth hanging open in shock.
AN: Soooo, what do you think should happen next? If you have any ideas, please let me know. I might just use them ;o)! And please review, even if you hate it. I live for feedback, so the more I get, the faster I'll post.