Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star. I do however own the songs and the poetry used. If I didn't write it then I will gladly credit the original artists and/or writers.

Chapter 13: Just Breathe

So, now my third album was being released. It was a major milestone for my music, my life, and my career. I loved the fact that I was finally done and that maybe the press would leave me alone, and maybe Tommy and I could actually go out in public without being hounded by the press.

Things were going so great right now. I didn't want them to change. Karma was going on tour with Shay, Rebeka, and Eden. So they were getting out of my hair, and Mason was going to be back for a while which meant that I actually had someone besides Tommy and Sadie to talk to. Don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with Jamie, and Kat but, they have been with each other lately. Plus, Sadie and Kwest have each other, Spied has Karma, and I have Tommy but, Mason is my buddy. I have missed him, I'm just glad that he was back.

"Mason, why do I need you to tag along with me and EJ shopping for a dress for the party?"

"Because you need a guys opinion and I am a guy." He said.

"He is right Jude. He might be gay but, he is still a guy." EJ said.

"Wait a minute, how the hell did you find out I was gay?" He asked shocked. "Jude?"

"Wait a minute, Jude didn't tell me a thing, I figured it out all on my own." EJ said.

"Oh my god, EJ, you know you snoop way too much for one persons life." I said.

"I know but, life happens and when you put me in the mix, I find out all of the dark and dirty secrets." She said. She was right; she did snoop way too much.

"Your right, we'll just have to be more careful" Mason said.

"I know one of your dark secrets to."

"Oh really, and what would that be?" I asked her.

"I know for a fact, that two weeks ago when you were supposed to be 'recording' you were in Tommy's office." She said recording using little quote unquote symbols.

"How do you know that?"

"Because I saw you go in, and when Mason and Chaz got in there you ran for it."

"Wait you mean to tell me that you were hiding in there the entire time, and we didn't know?"

"Yeah, she was in there but, I don't know where she was hiding."

"As a matter of fact, I was hiding under the desk. I was texting Tommy when you both were in there." I said.

"So what were you two doing in there since you lied to Darius?" Mason and EJ asked in unison.

"What do you think?" I asked them.

"Oh my god, me and Chaz interrupted that, I am so sorry, if we, I mean if we knew then we wouldn't have barged in." He said stumbling a little bit.

"Oh please, I was supposed to be 'recording'." I said using quotations.

"We won't tell." Mason said.

"Speak for yourself Mr. Fox." She said. I got this look on my face.

"Don't worry Jude, I won't tell on you two."

"Thank you, now can we please get back to shopping. The party in is two hours." I said.

"Fine with us." They said in unison and we walked into the store.

I tried on what felt like hundreds of dresses. I either thought that they were to revealing or not enough revealing. Either they were too short, or too long. I don't know what it is with me and dresses but, I can't pick one decent enough to save my life.

"Jude, come on. The party is in an hour." Mason said.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing that my hair and nails are done." I yelled from the fitting room. I emerged with a floor length red silk gown on that hung tightly to my body. Mason and EJ had these smiles on their faces. I knew that this was the right choice. I got the dress, and I found a pair of red stiletto's that wrapped up my leg y a piece of silk, and the dress had a slit running up the side of the dress. It was a little low cut but, I didn't care.

"Jude that looks amazing." EJ said.

"Wow, if I were straight I would definitely be all over you right now." He said.

"Right if only, if only," I said with a smile on my face.

"Kiss it Harrison." He said, turning his but, and shaking it in my face.

"No more please," I said. I turned and walked back into the dressing room and out my clothes back on.

I re-emerged with my original clothes back on and with a dress in my hand. Mason was just looking at me with his crooked little smile, and I knew he was up to something.

"What Harrison?"

"What are you up to Fox?" I asked him.

"Nothing. Why do you ask Harrison?"

"Oh, I don't know because you have that devious smile on your face. You're up to something and I know it." I said to him.

"No I'm not, well maybe I am but, you'll figure it out later." He said. We all walked out to the car and went back to G-Major. Portia was back and she looked rested. I was actually happy that she was gone but, I wasn't going to let anyone know that.

"Jude, do you have a dress?" Portia asked me.

"Yes, and she look fabulous in it." Mason said, and EJ agreed.

"Well then thirty minutes to the party so get and get ready." She said. EJ and Portia walked off talking and chatting happily.

"Jude you look amazing." I felt Tommy's hand slide around my waist.

"You know you shouldn't be here." I said.

"I know but, I can't help it." He said kissing my back. I was slipping my dress on when he did that. It sent shivers and chills up my spine.

"I love you" he said to me.

"I love you too" I said.

Tommy was running his fingers around me tracing every curve of my body, I was kind of giggling because he was trying to tickle me. I had already lost track of time when Portia walked in.

"Jude you ready yet?" Tommy hid before she saw him.

"Almost, the zipper on my dress got stuck." I lied.

"Oh, here let me help you." She said coming over to me. I magically jammed the zipper on purpose, Portia got it unstuck.

"Dang girl this one was really stuck." She said. "You have five minutes until the party starts.

"Is it clear?" I heard Tommy ask in a whisper.

"Yes." He came out from his hiding spot and hugged me.

"Man you ran like a drug dealer that just got caught." I said to him.

"Shut it Harrison. You know Darius would freak if he found out I was in here, and so would your dad."

"I know but, I never get to be alone with you unless my dad goes out of town, and now it's less and less every month." I said with my little puppy dog face.

I looked at Tommy and he looked so handsome. He was wearing a traditional tuxedo, and I couldn't help but ogle him. His hair was perfect as usual. Tommy never ceased to amaze me. I loved Tommy and everything about him. I had a feeling that we were going to last for a while.

I heard a knock on the door, and it was EJ telling me that it was time. Tommy just acted like he just came in there so he could escort me to the party. EJ didn't buy it but, she wasn't going to tell. When I came out everyone just looked at me. I knew that the reason was because I was with Tommy and I was done caring about it anymore.

"Everyone welcome the woman of the evening, Ms. Jude Harrison." Kwest said into the mic. He put 'Speechless' on and everyone began to quiet down. No one had ever heard this one before that's why I wanted to play it. I wanted everyone, and I mean everyone to know my feelings about Tommy.

Tommy and I walked down the stairs with eager eyes watching us. I didn't really care, and Tommy just let it go. I was tired of hiding, and was tired of not being with him. I was done. Tommy led me to the dance floor, and I started singing the words in his ear, in a hushed whispered tone. He responded by kissing me on the lips in the middle of the dance floor, soft at first and then I deepened the kiss immediately. I was done hiding everything; it was time to let it all out.

'Breathe just breathe' I told myself in my head. I let everything go and I kissed him with everything that I had. I was done trying to steal kisses, and do it behind everyone's back. Nothing mattered to me but him, and by kissing him like this in front of the media, I proved it.