AN: Thanks to Tanya, Rachel, Chloe, and Shannon. You guys are the best! Thanks for all your reviews, they really inspire me to continue. I know it's been a while since I updated, but I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hide Away, which is performed by Hilary Duff. I don't own Instant Star. CTV and Epitome Pictures do. Which explains why Jude and Tommy aren't together yet. Jude and Tommy forever!

Chapter 18: I Fall To Pieces

A few weeks passed, and I hadn't heard from Jude. None of us had. Then one day, she showed up at G Major, and everyone greeted her warmly as soon as she walked in the door.

"Is Tommy here?" Jude asked, just as soon as I had walked out to the main lobby.

"Jude, it's really good to see you," I said, meaning every word.

Jude looked good, and I don't mean it in the sense I usually mean. All of her bruises had completely disappeared, and I got the sense that she had finally come to grips with what she had been through. She may not have understood why Nicole did what she did, but she seemed like she had moved on, and been able to put the past behind her.

"Yeah, it's good to be back. I just felt like I needed to get out, you know?" For a second, I saw a glimpse of pain in her eyes, and I remembered how she had been locked up in a room for hours, being tortured in every way imaginable.

"Yeah, I feel that way sometimes," I replied, knowing that my long hours at the studio just couldn't compare to what she endured. "You got anything?"

"Actually, yeah, it's amazing how the worst experiences always bring out the best music in me," Jude said, fumbling around in her backpack. She drew out a couple sheets, and I looked over what she'd written.

"This is great, Jude. Are you ready to record it?" I asked, looking sympathetically at her. If she wasn't, I could wait.

"Yeah, let's go," she said, avoiding my gaze, and I wondered what was up with her as I led her to an empty studio.

I sat in my usual seat at the soundboard, as Jude took out her guitar. She began playing when I signaled for her to start.

Hiding Away
Losin' my day
As if it doesn't really matter
Saying Goodbye
Scared to say why
Afraid it will shatter our world
Show me some faith now
Trust me somehow

Why are we keepin' our secret
Why are we hiding ourselves away
Everywhere we can hide away
I don't wanna fake it
I wanna make you believe, but I can't
I won't let you...hide away

Where do we go
How do we know
What we're ever really after
Sometimes it's clear
When you are here
Nothing can shatter our world
I need some faith now
To trust you somehow

Why are we keepin' our secret
Why are we hiding ourselves away

Everywhere we can hide away
I dont wanna fake it
I wanna make you believe but i cant
I wont let you...hide away

Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I'm losin'
Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I'm broken
Turn around, look around, go around in circles
Don't run away, drift away, don't hide away

Why are we keepin' our secret
Why are we hiding ourselves away
Everywhere you can, hide away
I don't wanna fake it
I wanna make you believe but I can't
Ohh, but I can't
Believe what I said
I won't let you hide away, hide away

Hiding away, losin' my day
As if it doesn't really matter

As Jude's voiced drifted off into silence, I knew exactly what she was feeling. She wanted to know about Nicole, and why she was punishing Jude for, as she put it, taking her place.

"Jude, you wanna talk about it?" I asked gently. Jude looked up, tears threatening to fall once more. She nodded mutely, and walked through the door that I held open for her.

"About Nicole," I said, not sure how I wanted to word it, "She was Chaz's sister, and she'd always had a thing for me. When I split from Boyz Attack, Nicole sided with me, and not Chaz. Chaz never forgave me for that, and he and Nicole haven't been on speaking terms since. She never meant anything to me, Jude, I swear. Sure I flirted with her when we got back from tour, but it never amounted to anything beyond that. Ever since I met you, I you've been the one for me. I need you to believe that. Believe me when I tell you you're the only one for me." I gazed at Jude, my eyes not wavering for a second.

Slowly Jude looked up. She paused, then said softly, "I want to, Tommy, but I don't know if I can."

"Wouldn't you say we're even? I mean, first Jamie, then Nicole?" I asked, hoping that she'd see my point.

"Not really. Tommy, Jamie's always been my friend, but Nicole? You know she'll never let me have any peace until she gets what she wants, which is obviously you and my singing career."

"Jude, I promise, I'll take care of Nicole. I'll make sure she never bothers you again. Just…please, can't we start over?" I begged her.

"Tommy, I don't know. We've done this, what? A thousand times? And every time we always manage to screw things up again. I can't go through this again. I'm sorry," Jude said, as tears spilled out of her eyes and started streaming down her face. She rushed out of there like the place was on fire, and I ran out after her, tears beginning to stream down my face too. My heart shattered when I saw her leave, and I felt incredible pain like no other.

"Jude, wait!" I cried desperately, hoping she'd stop and give me the benefit of the doubt. Who was I fooling? There was no way in the world Jude could ever give me another chance. Unless…A plan formed in my head, and I nodded to myself, thinking, "Yes, that might just work."

AN: What's Tommy going to do? Will it work? Will Jude give Tommy a second chance? The faster you review, the faster I'll post.