AN: OMG! I can't believe you guys! You're awesome! Thank you so, so much! I promise I'll make Tommy and Jude's situation better than it is right now. But first, I have to figure out how to do that.
Special ANs:
camsma, thank you for always encouraging me! I hope you like my newest chapter just as much.
timleesa, I think that can be arranged. What I have in store for them is drama enough without them having relationship issues.
Rachel, I'm getting there. But first I want to put up a chapter that I think will fit in well. So it's this chapter, then another chapter, and then Jommy all over again! And yes, I know you love it, because you're one of my most consistent reviewers. Thanks for always reviewing!
daisychain101, I'm glad you like my writing. I hope you keep on reading my stuff. And if it gets boring, tell me. I can take it.
Shannon, I'm on it. In fact, if I get enough reviews, I might just post up another chapter (which I've already written). But I know you'll review (you always do). Keep on rockin', girl!
Tanya, it never ceases to amaze me that a writer who's even better than I am is complimenting me on my writing. You have no idea how much your compliments mean to me (or maybe you do). So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all your kind words.
Chloe, I just read the last chapter over again, and even I'm still teary eyed. And thanks for your review. It means so much to me that you love it!
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: (I always forget this part) Of course I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. But I wish I did. Then we wouldn't have to wait so long to see Tommy and Jude hook up (if they even do in Season 3. But first, Tommy needs to get rid of Karma so that he can be with Jude.)
Chapter 29: It's Not Over 'Til it's Over
I pretended like I was going to clean out my old office, and passed by Darius' office. Darius wasn't there, but someone else was.
I kept an eye on the hallway, in case I saw anyone coming in my direction. I listened as I heard Liam, Darius' right hand man, on the phone.
"Yes, I know, love. This is working out better than expected. With Tommy and Jude out of the way, you'll be free to take over as the new Instant Star. Just go over your moves again, not that you need to. And remember to flash that beautiful smile of yours. You know how it makes me feel…" Liam's voice trailed off, as he listened to the other person. "All right, I'll see you later, Eden. Love you."
My POV: Liam and Eden? That was too perfect. Now I had some leverage to get back into G Major. Eden had everyone fooled into thinking she and Shay were on the way to hooking back up, but Eden was secretly involved with Liam. But how do I tell Darius without any proof?
I went over to the studios, knowing Kwest would be there. He was alone, listening to some tracks and tweaking them.
"Kwest, man, I need a favor," I said, making sure no one could see us or hear us.
"Sure, what is it?" Kwest asked.
"I need you to keep an eye on Eden and Liam for me. I need to know what they're planning.next." I said.
"What do you mean? What are they planning?" Kwest looked confused, so I filled him in on what I'd heard.
"OK, man, I'm all over it," Kwest promised me.
"Oh, one more thing," I said on my way out.
"What's that?" Kwest wondered.
"I'll let you know in a few weeks. Once I have everything finalized," I said mysteriously. I loved keeping Kwest in the dark. It drove him crazy. He was perfect for Sadie that way. Come to think of it, I'll think I'll talk to Sadie, Georgia and E.J. about it too.
I whistled on my way out the door. I had a lot of ground to cover if I was going to make this work.
I went around and sold everything I had, except my Viper and my current residence, then I went to the bank and took out a loan.
Then I drove over to the pier, one of my all-time favorite places. It was the place I took Jude to write her first song.
When I got there, I saw Jude's car. I looked around, and saw Jude sitting alone. I guess Mr. H. had to go back to work or something, and Jude came over here to think. She loved this place almost as much as I did. And I loved it because it was one of her favorite places to write.
Jude looked up as I pulled in, and her face lit up. She got up and ran over to me, and I'd barely gotten out of the car before she threw her arms around me and launched herself at me.
"Tommy!" she squealed in excitement.
"Hey, Jude," I replied, smiling as she pretended not to notice. She hated that song, because her dad was a huge Beatles fan, and he never got tired of singing it to her. But although she got tired of listening to her dad singing it, she pretended that it didn't bother her.
"What do you have there?" I said, noticing that Jude was carrying her journal and a pen.
"Oh, just some lyrics I wrote. It's not done yet, but do you wanna see?" Jude thrust her journal at me before I had the chance to respond.
She glanced over my shoulder as I read what she'd written. Normally I hate it when people look over my shoulder, but I don't seem to mind it at all when it's Jude.
You treat me like I'm not even there
You tell me no, and it's not fair
I want to take the wheel in your car
And show you just how wrong you are
I'm not as young as you think I am
You say I'm innocent as a lamb
But I've seen more than you'll ever know
Just give me a chance and let me show
I don't need you to boss me around
When you say look up, I will look down
When you say go left, I will go right
And turn your bright day into the darkest night
You've had your time
And now it's mine
You say I'm not ready
But I am already
So I won't wait
It's time to celebrate
'Cuz I found it in me
To be free
Of you
I handed Jude's journal back to her, and she looked at me expectantly. "So, what'd you think?" Jude said, almost as excitedly as a child ripping her presents open on Christmas.Day.
"Jude, this is great!" I said honestly. I loved how she turned her deepest disappointments into the greatest lyrics. She poured so much of herself into them that if you really wanted to know Jude, all you had to do was read her song lyrics. That's what lyrics are supposed to do. Give you a glimpse into the life of the artist who wrote them.
"You really think so?" Jude asked.
I rolled my eyes. "If I didn't, would I be standing here telling you they are?"
Then Jude's expression grew somber. "It doesn't matter anyway," she said, tossing her journal on the ground.
"Of course it does," I said. "Don't lie to me, Jude. I know how much writing music means to you. You of all people can't just throw it away. It's your life. It's what you live for. Don't stand there and tell me it doesn't matter, because I know it does."
"What's the point? I don't have a studio, no one to produce me because you're out of a job, and it's my fault. I wanted you to love me, and I got you fired." Jude started crying, and I held her as I told her what I was planning. I'd sold my houses, my cars, and gotten the loan so I could build a studio. I was going to name it JQ Studios, J for Jude and Q for my last name.
Jude stopped crying immediately, her eyes widening. "No way!" she said, shock registering on her face.
"Way!" I said, as Jude looked happy again. I told her how I was going to hire Kwest and Sadie and Georgia and E.J., and have her be the co-owner, as well as producer, manager, artist, or whatever she wanted to do.
"I can't believe I didn't think of this before!" Jude said, busily making plans for the future. "I want to help pay for the studio too!" she said. So we went off to the bank again, where Jude took out some of her savings to pay off the loan I'd taken out. I told Jude she didn't have to do it, but she insisted. I know never to argue with Jude once she's made up her mind about something.
We even had some more help, once I let Georgia, E.J., Kwest, and Sadie in on our plans. They used some of the money they had to put toward construction of the studio. Kwest insisted on having a break room, where people could eat, talk, play video games, or shoot some pool. I thought it was a good idea, since Jude loved to eat. Sadie and E.J. loved to talk. Georgia loved to laugh at them. And Kwest and I loved playing pool. I even had a pool table at my place.
Then Jude got all serious again. I asked her what was wrong.
"This still doesn't help," Jude said, looking sad.
"What about moving into my place?" I suggested.
"Yeah, like my dad's ever going to let me do that," Jude said sadly. She frowned, then slowly her frown turned into a big grin.
"I've got it!" Jude cried. "What if I moved to our ranch house? You know, the one where we wrote It Could Be You?"
"Yeah, and whenever we're not feeling particularly inspired, we can ride your horses," I suggested. I was hinting that it wasn't the horses I wanted to ride, but Jude didn't catch on.
"Yeah, let's do it!" Jude said, excited. She didn't catch on to her obvious innuendo.
"OK, sounds like a great idea," I said. "You know what? I think this'll actually work." I smiled as Jude jumped on me, then leaned down and gave me the biggest, best kiss she knew I needed.
Then we went out for lunch, where we talked some more about it, and then went back to the studio where Sadie was, so that Jude could get a ride back.
I went back to my place, and as soon as I stepped in, I heard my cell go off. Looking at the Caller ID, I smiled as I recognized the number. It was Jude.
"Tommy, can we go shopping tomorrow?" Jude said. She sounded like Sadie did when she found out there was a sale at her favorite store.
"OK, Jude. Just meet me at the park. If I go by to pick you up, I think your dad's gonna freak." I said, referring to the park by her place. Most people went to the pier, since it had one of the most beautiful views in town. That left the park pretty secluded, and it'd be a great meeting place.
"OK," Jude said. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Jude. Love you," I said. It was becoming easier and easier for me to admit how much I loved her. No one ever had such a profound effect on me before. I shook my head and smiled as I listened to Jude echo my sentiments. I hung up and shook my head. That girl was one in a million, and she was all mine.
AN: So, what'd you think? Let me know by reviewing!