Ok. I'm a horrible person and I deserve to be shot dead. Ok, maybe nothing that drastic, but I feel horrible! I just want to say I'm super Super mega sorry about not posting in like forever. It was not intentional at all and I really have been trying to get a chapter out on any of my stories. I've just been really busy. And to top it all off I have had the worst writers block in the world. It was the hardest thing to get a chapter out. Funny thing is the outline for this chapter was from my first draft I wrote, but I didn't like it so I erased it. I had to talk to my sister to get the ideas in order. Anyways…enough of my rambling on with the final chapter of Happy Halloween. This is very long over due and I apologize again. I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star or the characters. If I did the show would be playing right now! I also don't own any of the songs, if I did I would be rich, instead of a poor 17 year old. Anyways enjoy!
Looking into Tommy's eyes Jude takes a deep breath. "Yeah Tommy. And maybe. This is one of those times where you gotta just walk away…" Jude says before turning to walk away. She needed air, she needed space, and she needed time, to think.
Shaking his head Tommy grabs Jude's arm, stopping her from walking away. "No. You aren't leaving like this…I…"
"I don't really care what you want right now Tommy!" Jude says pulling her arm from Tommy's grasp, which shocks both of them into silence. Looking around Jude sees the only place to sit down is the stage. Walking over to it she lies down and closes her eyes, not caring if Tommy follows her or not. Laying there with her eyes closed Jude hears the opening chords to Liar Liar.
You said I was your everything,
You said I was the one,
You played me like a radio,
You use to love that I had no shame.
Pour my pain into words,
Hold my hand to the flame.
Feeling a movement right next to her Jude opens her eyes and looks over to see Tommy lying down right next to her and looking up at the ceiling. Turning and looking up at the ceiling Jude lets out a long sigh. "Tommy?" Jude asks looking over at Tommy waiting for him to look at her. "What's wrong with me?" Jude asks blinking back the tears building in the back of her eyes.
Tell me you'll love me like a star
Tell me you'll want me wherever you are,
Tell me you'll breathe me until your last breath.
Liar, Liar, oh, Liar, Liar.
Bit by bit I feel the draft,
Just sit back and watch it burn,
Hold your eyes up to my veins,
Call out, call out my name
Looking at Jude and then quickly back at the ceiling Tommy just shakes his head for a couple of seconds before turning to look at her and rubbing her cheek. "Nothing is wrong with you." Tommy says and can tell she doesn't like his answer by the way she starts shaking her head.
Sitting up Jude turns to see Tommy doing the same. "Would you quit lying to me!"
Tell me you'll love me like a star,
Tell me you'll want me wherever you are,
Tell me you'll breathe me until your last breath.
Liar, Liar,
Oh, Liar, Liar, Liar, Liar, Oh, Liar, Liar
"Jude! I'm not lying to you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you." Tommy says looking at Jude as she stands to leave. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to get out of these cloths and leave." Jude says watching Tommy stand up to apparently follow her. "And I'm going to be doing it alone!" She says holding up her hand to stop Tommy. "I need some time to think. Some time alone." Jude says turning to walk away, quickly stopping Jude looks over her shoulder to see Tommy staring at her. "And you're wrong Tommy. There is something wrong with me."
Tell me you'll love me like a star,
Tell me you'll want me wherever you are,
Tell me you'll breathe me until your last breath.
Liar, Liar,
Oh, Liar, Liar, Liar, Liar, Oh, Liar, Liar
Liar, Liar.
"Yeah and what's that Jude?" Tommy asks simply humoring her, but she doesn't answer. Instead she just keeps walking away. Shaking his head Tommy watches her. Gone is the angst filled teenager who wanted to get her way. And in her place was a girl who had to grow up to fast. A girl who has faced so many hard and painful things and she isn't 18 yet and still has so much more to deal with. Nodding his head he turns back around and just thinks to himself. He hopes she will let him help her in the future.
The next morning Jude wakes up to her alarm going off. Lifting her head and looking through blurry eyes she sees that it is only 8:30. Grumbling and growling Jude smacks her alarm and rolls over. She doesn't need to be up this early, it's a Saturday! Snuggling back into her bed Jude remembers now why her evil alarm was set. She and Kwest had to go over the Rock the Mic concert she was doing tonight. Rolling over until she falls out of bed Jude stands up and heads into the shower.
Walking down stairs after getting ready Jude sees Sadie standing at the counter reading something. "Hey!" Jude says looking over at the clock. "Aren't you late?"
"Darius wanted me to wait for you. So when ever you're ready." Sadie says quickly stashing away the newspaper she had.
"Oh ok." Jude says ignoring Sadie stashing the newspaper. "Oh my god, I had the weirdest dream last night." Jude says grabbing her life saver, a pop tart, out of the cupboard. "I dreamt that last night at Darius's Halloween party Tommy showed up! And there was all this drama. And we ended up getting in a fight. And Tommy told me he loved me." Jude says stopping to take a breath. "It was really weird. And it seemed so real!" Turning around to look at Sadie she sees Sadie giving her a weird look. "What's wrong Sades?"
"Jude. That wasn't a dream." Sadie says pulling out the newspaper she had been looking at. "That actually happened." Sadie says handing Jude the newspaper.
Laughing Jude grabs the paper from Sadie. There was no way her dream could've actually happen. Tommy was gone. He left her. Looking down at the paper in her hand Jude drops her pop tart. There it was in big bold letters. "Lil' Tommy Q back...but for good?" And they even had a picture of him walking through the airport. Shaking her head Jude throws the paper on the floor.
Closing her eyes Jude remembers back to last night. It wasn't a dream; she had only hoped it was. Because if it had been a dream then she could simply walk into G-Major like she had the last three months. But now things would be different, because Tommy's back. And just as the paper said, is he back for good? Jude puts on a fake smile and reaches down to pick up her pop tart. Ignoring the situation Jude throws away her breakfast since she no longer feels hungry and she heads to the front closet for her jacket. Walking back into the kitchen she sees that Sadie still hasn't moved. "Well? Aren't we going?" Jude asks crossing her arms over her chest.
"Jude. You know you can talk to me right? I'm here for you and I know that you're hurt, but you don't have to bottle it up all inside." Sadie says walking towards Jude.
"I know Sadie. And thanks for the support. But I just don't want to talk about it right now. It doesn't matter anyways. Tommy will most likely leave and break my heart all over again. And that's when I'll need you. So lets hold off on the support until it's really needed." Jude says grabbing the keys to her car.
"Ok." Sadie says shrugging and trying to hide her disappointment. She wished Jude would open up to her more. But that has always been Jude; the dependent and stubborn one. Grabbing her jacket Sadie follows Jude out to her car. "Are you sure you want to drive? Because we can take my car if you want."
Shrugging her shoulders Jude locks her car and gets into Sadie's passenger seat. Leaning forward Jude changes the station to old rock station and closes her eyes. "Wake me up when we get there." Getting little more comfortable in the seat Jude hears Sadie change the radio station to the news.
"Last night G-Major was the place to be. Ex-Boybander Lil' Tommy Q, who hasn't been heard from in over three month, surprised everyone last night. Including his own artist, and possible love interest, Jude Harrison…"
Quickly changing the station Sadie looks over to see Jude staring at the radio. "God I hate gossip stations! They never have anything good to say." Sadie says looking out the window and then back to Jude, who has lain back down with her eyes closed.
Taking a deep breath Jude counts to ten. She wants to scream so bad right now. Feeling the car come to a stop Jude unbuckles her seat while opening her eyes. She quickly stops when she sees that they aren't parked yet. Instead Sadie is stopped in front of G-Major with dozens of reporters around the car. "What are we supposed to do?" Jude asks looking over at Sadie while pulling her hood over her head.
"I don't know. Darius just told me to make sure you got to him before talking to any reporters. He wants to meet with you first."
"Well how am I supposed to get to him?"
"I'm going to park in the back today. Hopefully security has blocked that off." Sadie says pulling a fast U and not caring if she runs over any reporters. "They're like vultures or something!" Sadie shrieks as she pulls out of the parking lot. Jude just laughs at her sister as they park in the back. Thankfully security had blocked off reporters, so Jude didn't have to fight to get inside.
Walking through the doors wasn't much better though, it's chaos. Phones are ringing off the hook and you see interns running over one another trying to keep things under control, which would be pretty funny under different circumstances. Jude thinks to herself as she heads to Darius's office. Lifting her hand to knock Jude stops when she hears Darius yelling.
"So T. You aren't even back 24 hours and you've already turned this place into a circus! I've gotta tell ya, that takes some real talent!" Darius says sitting behind his desk.
"Yeah D. About that, I'm sorry man. I didn't think my coming back would cause this much trouble." Tommy says in a much quieter voice. "If you want I'll talk to the reporters or something. What ever it takes to make things right."
"Right for what Tom?" Darius asks. "Right so you can come back and work here. Right so Jude will talk to you again. Right so you can produce her again? What exactly are you looking for Tom?" Darius asks worried about Tommy's motives.
"I just don't want there to be any extra stress on Jude. She doesn't need anymore."
"Oh but she needed the stress of you leaving? She needed to feel left and unwanted?" Darius asks looking Tom up and down. "I don't understand you man. What were you thinking?"
"I had family problems Darius." Tommy says finally looking him in the eye.
"Well are your family problems ok now?"
"Yes they are." Tommy says feeling like a 10 year old talking to the principal. "And if it's ok with you, I was wondering if I still had a job here at G-Major."
Darius doesn't say anything, he just looks at Tommy. Trying to decide what he should do. Finally nodding his head Darius stands up. "Look Tom. I would gladly welcome you back. You're great producer and you make me lots of money. Something that's very important to me." Darius says walking around his desk so he's standing closer to Tommy. "But I also have Jude to think about. Now, normally I don't let artist make decisions like this, but Jude is important to me. She is my best artist right now and she's making me lots of money. And besides that. I like her. She's grown on me since I first met her. And I don't want to see her hurt anymore." Darius says glaring at Tommy. "Which is why I think you being back would be better for her and for G-Major."
After hearing this Tommy smiles. "Thanks D…" But he gets cut off.
"But Jude might have other ideas. She might not want anything to do with you. So I'm going to let Jude decide. She knows what she can handle and whether she wants you in her life or not."
"So what are you saying Darius?" Tommy asks staring at Darius, his mentor. The man who had pretty much made him who he is today. The man who won't even look him in the eye right now.
"If Jude asks for you to leave…Tom. I want you to listen to her." Darius says looking Tommy in the eye. It hurt him so much to pretty much tell Quincy he will have to leave, but Darius worries about Jude. And sometimes Tommy causes her more harm then he does good.
Jude, hearing the conversation, runs into the bathroom to get away from everyone. Looking in the mirror she sees the 15 year old girl who had been so nervous to sing on stage in front of millions of people. The girl with red hair, full of angst, and two of the greatest friends in the world. The only difference is now there isn't her two friends will to back her up. Looking away from the mirror Jude feels so alone. Sitting down on the counter Jude puts her head in her hands and slow tears start to fall.
About ten minutes later Jude has stopped crying. Hopping of the counter she turns to look in the mirror and grimaces at what she sees. Spending a few minutes fixing her appearance Jude heads back to Darius's office. This time when she gets there the door is wide open and Darius is at his desk alone. Walking in without knocking Jude shuts the door behind her causing it to make a big thud.
Looking up in surprise Darius sees Jude standing in front of his desk looking like a broken girl. A lot like she had after Tommy had left. "Jude are you ok?"
"Yeah Darius." Jude says running her fingers through her hair. "I'm just a little tired and emotional right now." Jude says sitting down. "Sadie says you wanted to talk to me."
"Yeah Jude. But we don't have to right now. Not if you aren't up to it."
"No Darius. I'm fine, well not fine. But I'm ok. So what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Tom. Jude."
Taking a deep breath Jude nods her head. "Ok. And what about him?"
"He was in here this morning. He wants to know if he still is needed here at G-Major." Darius says looking at Jude closely. Wanting to get her gut reaction. Instead he just sees her look down at the ground before looking back up at him.
"And so…Does he have a job here still?" Jude asks. Hoping the Darius would make the choice for her. Making it easier on her.
"I don't know Jude. Does he?" Darius asks standing up and walking around his desk and sitting back down on top of his desk. "I want you to decide Jude. Because if I tell Tom to stay he could either A. screw up worse and hurt you even more and possibly leave again. Or B. stay, make things between you two better, and possibly lead you to your third platinum album. But with you two anything could happen. And I don't want to be the one to ok Tom to break your heart again."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to decide. Decide if there is a chance of you ever forgiving Tommy. If there's a chance of him making you happy. If there's a chance of you two being able to work together again."
"And if I don't think there is?" Jude asks.
"Then let him go. Tell him to leave and watch him walk out of those doors." Darius says leaning in front of Jude. "But listen to me Jude. If you decide to let Tom go. Then you got to let all of him go. Including the part of him that's in your heart. Because as long as he's there." Darius says pointing to Jude's heart. "He'll never be gone from here." Darius says holding his hands in the are to symbolize G-Major.
"So what you're saying is, if I tell Tommy to leave. I need let him go and move on. But if I ask him to stay. He can. No questions asked."
"This is up to you Jude. Do you think there's a chance of you ever forgiving Tommy. Or is that over." Darius says watching Jude lean forward and looking at the ground. After awhile he hears her mumble something. "What was that Jude?"
Sitting up straight Darius sees her eyes are all watery. "I'm afraid Darius." Jude says again, but louder and clearer.
Darius just nods his head and gives a sad smile. Pulling Jude into uncomfortable hug he quickly pulls away and puts his hands on her shoulders instead. "Listen Jude. No matter what you decide. I back you up 110. Ok?" Darius says. Jude just nods her head and stands up to leave. "And listen Jude. You don't have to decide right now. I understand this is a big choice."
Grabbing the door handle Jude looks over her shoulder at Darius. "I know D. And thanks. For your support." Jude says walking out of his office.
Walking through G-Major the place seems much different from before. Phones are still ringing, but now Sadie is there to take control. And all of the interns have seemed to disappeared. Walking into Studio A Jude sees Kwest at the sound board. "Hey Kwest. Are you busy?"
Turning to look at Jude Kwest turns down the music. "Not right now. Why what's up?"
"Oh nothing really. I was just wondering if I could get some time alone right now. You know here in the studio?" Jude asks biting her lip from nervousness.
"Yeah. Sure. I need to talk to Darius anyways." Kwest says grabbing some papers and standing up. "I'll be back in about and hour to get ready for Rock the Mic. Ok?"
Jude just nods her head while sitting down. Pressing some buttons Jude changes to her warm up disk Kwest recorded. Leaning back in her chair Jude listens as White Lines fills the studio.
I tried to tell you
I've got to get away
I tried to say
I need my space
I got to get some
distance in between
my heart and my head
With her eyes closed Jude remembers back to the night she had recorded this song with Tommy. She had bared her heart on the line, expecting to get burned. Instead Tommy had understood. He had supported her. He practically told her he felt the same way. That night Jude had truly felt Tommy loved her. And when he asked her out she thought that he was done pretending. He was finally owning up to his feelings.
I'm on the razor's edge
I've been here before
I know the way
But she had been wrong. As usual. He had hurt her so bad. After he left her that night she felt her heart would never be the same. After all. How does someone's heart mend back together after half out it has been ripped away? How does someone live after everything they felt they lived for has just up and left? At first Jude wondered if she would survive. The pain had felt so strong.
Now here she was three months later. And she would like to think she was a stronger girl. That she could handle if Tommy left her again. But could she handle if he left because she asked him to?
white lines
and headlights in my eyes
white lines
I'm ready to drive all night
white lines
how many 'till I'm in your arms
white lines
will bring me home
He's lied. He's cheated. He's been mean and cruel. He's hurt her so many times. So why is it so hard for her to just let him go. He isn't that great of a guy! But it's so hard because for every rotten thing that he's ever done. He's also gone and made up for it. Tommy is one of the worlds biggest screw ups, but that's to be expected. He is also the one she loves. And it's not easy getting over that.
I held you in
my arms last night
I dreamed we were
riding on a star
I kissed you and
the sun began to shine
in dreams I can do anything
Lost in her thoughts Jude doesn't notice Tom walking into the studio. But she doesn't notice him sitting down in the other chair, his old chair. The one she put in the corner of the room after he left.
"Are you ok Jude?" Tommy asks, which causes Jude to laugh and shake her head.
"You know what Tommy. No. I'm not ok. But it's not your fault. I haven't truly been ok since I won the Instant Star contest." Jude says causing a silent tension. "So now it's more like will I ever be ok?"
it seems like I'm on my own
it feels like I'm losing it all
"And…" Tommy asks. Worried about Jude.
white lines
and headlights in my eyes
white lines
I'm ready to drive all night
white lines
how many 'till I'm in your arms
white lines
will bring me
Looking at Tommy, Jude just smiles. "And. I honestly don't know." Jude says leaning forward and pulling Tommy's chair closer. "Will I? Will I ever be ok Tommy?" Then standing up Jude starts to slowly pace. "Will I ever be able to get over my past. Will I be able to write and sing like I use to." Then stopping and turning to look at Tommy. "Will I ever be able to get over you?"
Standing up Tommy walks so he's standing in front of Jude. "I don't know Jude. But I hope you don't want to get over me."
"And that's the thing. I don't." Jude says resting her forehead against Tommy's.
seems like I've been here before
I know the way
seems like I've been on my own
so long
so long
"So. What's our problem?" Tommy asks closing his eyes.
"You always find some way to hurt me. And I don't know if I could handle being hurt again." Jude answers honestly. Finally saying aloud what she's felt for the longest time. Pulling away she looks into Tommy's eyes. "I asked you last night what was wrong with me. And you said nothing. Well like I said you were wrong. What's wrong with me is that my head and my heart are telling me two different things."
white lines
and headlights in my eyes
white lines
I'm ready to drive all night
white lines
how many 'till I'm in your arms
white lines
will bring me home
"And what are they telling you?" Tommy asks worried.
"Well my head is telling me to listen to Darius and tell you to walk out those doors. That you will just hurt me again and I need to let you go for good and move on. "
"And your heart?" Tommy asks hopeful.
"It's telling me that if I let you go I will be making one of the biggest mistakes of my life. That without you I won't be able to live me life, without missing half of my heart." Jude says blinking back the burning feeling in her eyes.
"So what do you want to do Jude? It's your call." For awhile the two of them just stand there looking at each other and thinking.
Tommy is thinking that he might've lost any chance at being truly happy. That Jude would rather chance being alone. Then him breaking her heart all over again. He had made so many mistakes in life. But his biggest was hurting Jude.
Taking a deep breath Jude steps closer to Tommy and grabs on to his hand. Lifting it to her mouth she kisses the inside of his palm and closes it. Then looking into his eyes Jude walks into his arms. Tommy wraps his arms around her and pulls her in a hug, never wanting to let go. Looking down at her he sees her looking up at him. "This means…" Tommy asks hoping it isn't goodbye.
"This means that I rather take the chance of me and you having our petty little fights and arguing. Over me missing a half of my heart because I was to afraid to try." Jude says.
Smiling Tommy leans down to give Jude a light little kiss. But soon turns a lot hotter. Sitting down in his chair Jude follows his lead and sits down on his lap. Both kissing until they run out of air. Pulling apart both smile at each other before leaning in for another kiss. Neither caring when Darius and Kwest walked in.
This is exactly where they wanted to be.
There it is! The end of Happy Halloween. It's actually kind of sad. I'm going to miss this story. It was fun to write. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has stuck with me. Specially after being MIA for so long! You guys are the greatest and this story would be nothing without you guys who read it. So special thanks to everyone reviewing and to those reading. You guys are great!