A/N - Thanks for all the support, guys! I truly appreciate it. Here's the next update. Leave me love!

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Chapter Eight…I Will Get Up Again

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Jude and Tom were cuddled close on his couch, enjoying the silence and each other's presence. Tom threaded his fingers through her hair, playing with it absentmindedly.

"Thank you, Tommy," she muttered, resting her head on his strong chest.

"For what?"

"For telling me about your mother. For trusting me. It means a lot…" She sighed. "I'm gonna be okay…I'm going to heal and I'm going to enjoy my life. That's what she would have wanted. Thanks for helping me realize that."

Tom smiled down at her. "Jude…I love you."

"I love you too, Tommy…"

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Sadie collapsed on her bed, an overwhelming sadness filling her. Everything finally settled on her, and it was almost too much. Her mother was dead. She had hurt her sister when Jude needed her most. And, if it wasn't for Kwest, she would be completely alone.

Suddenly, the phone rang from on the table next to her. She jumped and reached for the receiver.

"Hello?"

"May I please speak with Miss Sadie Harrison?" an unfamiliar, yet chipper voice asked.

"This is her," Sadie mumbled in a monotone.

"This is Lara Stevens, from CTV. We'd like to invite to back for another audition…for the role of Katherine in 'The End of the World'."

Sadie was in complete shock. "You what?"

"Ms. Harrison, the director was very impressed with you. He'd like to see you again. Tomorrow, at noon, if at all possible."

"Oh…um…of course." Sadie took a deep breath. She couldn't believe her luck.

Over a week ago, she stumbled in late to her first audition in weeks. She had gotten about two hours of sleep the night before and she was barely even caffeinated. It was a TV show role, and she was more interested in movies anyway. So, if she didn't get it, well…it wasn't the end of the world. No pun intended.

"That's wonderful. I'll tell Mr. Anderson to expect you tomorrow at noon!" Sadie hung up the phone, still in shock.

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Kwest walked into G Major, a little numb from the day's events.

"Kwest!" Darius' booming voice startled him. He turned around and spotted his boss in the doorway of his office.

"What's up, D?" he asked, distractedly.

"Where have you and Tom been?" he asked, waving Kwest over.

"With Jude. And Sadie."

Darius frowned. "Kwest, I would have expected that from Tom. But you? You two need to be working on his album. Not going out on dates."

"Darius…"

"Where's Tom?" he demanded.

"I think he's still with Jude," Kwest commented.

"You think he'd be more concerned with his solo album. He's---" Kwest put his hands up, stopping Darius mid-sentence.

"Her mom died, D. Tom's just keeping her company for now. Until she can be alone." The older man was silent for a moment.

"Is she okay?"

Kwest shrugged. "Who knows. I think Sadie's worse…"

Darius shook his head. "Great…just great…"

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"Jude?" Tom's voice was soft.

"Yeah…?" she answered sleepily.

"Are you staying here tonight?" he asked.

"Mmmm…"

"It's getting late," he commented offhandedly.

"I know," she mumbled, snuggling closer to him. He smiled and stroked her shoulder.

"I'm gonna take that as a yes." She was silent. Tom rested his head on top of hers and listened to her steady breathing until he fell asleep.

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Sadie opened her eyes slowly, rolling over in bed. She glanced at her clock.

11:45.

Her eyes widened and she sat up suddenly. "Oh, my God! My audition is in 15 minutes!" she screeched, hopping out of bed and darting for the bathroom.

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Sadie bolted down the hallway to the audition room at the CTV studios. She stopped suddenly in front of the door labeled "Katherine, 'The End of the World'" to catch her breath. Sighing deeply, she knocked.

"Come in," a low voice answered. Sadie opened the door and stepped in carefully. A young man with slicked back dirty-blonde hair and dull grey eyes was dressed in a pressed black suit and sitting in a director's chair.

"Mr. Anderson?" she asked timidly.

"Ms. Harrison?" He smirked at her and motioned toward the empty floor in front of him. "Welcome."

Sadie smoothed out her shirt. "I'd like to thank you for calling me back."

But it seemed like he wasn't even listening. "Even more beautiful than your sister," he mumbled. "Impressive."

She raised her eyebrows and eyed him suspiciously. "Excuse me…?"

"Congratulations." He stood and held out his hand. "You've got the part."

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Love,
JQ