Chapter Eight: It's a Breakdown

Jude Harrison Breaks Down on Stage in Florida

Jude Harrison Dumped! Sources Say Her Eye Candy Slash Producer Had Enough

Jude Harrison Spotted Out Partying With Blonde Mystery Man

Jude Harrison Caught In V.I.P. Snorting Cocaine

Jude Harrison Cancels Denver Show After Alleged Drug Overdose

The past month the tabloids were on frenzy. Jude's breakdown had been a lot worse than anyone could have ever expected. It didn't help that no one could convince Tom to even talk to her. Anyone who could get in touch with him was given quick statements on how she is better off. Although he had chosen this for them he still cringed at every article Jude had been brought up in. If she wasn't crying on stage she was out partying with strangers, and if it wasn't strangers it was that god-forsaken Spiederman kid. Tom sat behind his desk at G Major rushing a hand through his hair while trying to sip at a steaming hot cup of coffee. He heard a knock on his door, but before any reply could be called out, a tall figure trudged into his office.

Tom's eyes were accompanied by bags hanging below, he appeared frustrated while resting his mug to the wood, "And what do I owe the pleasure Kwest?"

Since the breakup the strain on his best friendship had become tense ridden. Kwest was constantly pleading with him to reconsider Jude and Tom was in no mood to hear her name. "You see this?" Tom's eyebrows rose as Kwest threw a tabloid to his chest, "You really fucked her up didn't you?"

Tom adjusted the article in front of him and his lips mimicked the words on the page silently over and over, at least five times, "She overdosed?"

"Darius wants to call off her last leg of tour, send her to rehab. He says he needs to save face." Kwest explained while pacing his distanced friend's office, "Sadie is a mess man. I can't calm her down! Jude could have died and we all know why she's being reckless."

Kwest glared at Tom who just dropped his head to avoid confrontation, "She's being young and dumb."

"Because a certain someone called off their engagement?" Kwest's voice rang in irritation.

"I can't help-"

"Cut the crap T! This isn't what you want! Pull your head out of your ass!" Kwest shouted now flying his hands down to Tom's desk, "Wake up Tom. You fucked this up again because of your own stupid fucking delusions. You ruined a good thing and you destroyed her. So now Darius wants damage control."

"So she goes to rehab? She gets better and she moves on." Tom spoke flatly as if there was no care or worry in his tone.

"You don't get it man. You're the monster here. The tabloids, her family, and friends, they all blame you." Tom scoffed as he turned away with an enraged face, "Pretend all you want this isn't your fault Tom, but everyone here at G Major including Darius thinks there's only one solution."

Tom pushed his tongue to his top lip in frustration before clasping his hands together while gritting his teeth, "And what is that Kwest?"

"When Jude gets back from rehab she'll need a new producer," Tom nodded his head nonchalantly. Kwest just bellowed with rage, "And you will be suspended indefinitely."

Tom's eyes flew open and he stood up slamming his fists down, "This is fucking bullshit!" He flung his arms across the desk causing items to fly, "She's doing this on purpose! She wants pity! She doesn't care about me, she has Spiederman and her fans and apparently G Major too."

"You're real fucked up in the head if you think this is some sick act to make you look bad. You do that well enough on your own dick," Kwest blurted out before huffing his way out of Tom's office.

Tommy collapsed back into his computer chair in a resentment filled shock. He had given Jude this opportunity only to get his own life torn apart a year later. In Tom's mind, breaking up with Jude was the best thing to happen to her. Now she was free to be whoever and do whomever she wanted; something he was positive she deeply desired. He bent down to pull open his bottom desk drawer. Letting out a breath he pulled out a frame on which he let his fingers trickle down. His finger traced the shape of her smiling face staring back at him. It was a picture from the album release party; where she initially asked him on tour. After forcing his mind to escape the nostalgia he gripped the picture tighter before flinging it across the room in a mad craze. As the sound of the glass shattering resonated Tom's breathing picked up. His chest rose up and down strenuously and he bit his cheeks with intent to cause pain as his knuckles whitened. The anger built up so much that he could feel tears shed from his eyes and as he looked to the busted frame on the floor and the few pieces of glass lying over her face the sobs escaped. His hands clung to the magazine before he fell to the ground reading the title again, Jude Harrison Cancels Denver Show After Alleged Drug Overdose. Believe it or not this was the first time he cried since leaving her. He always did a good job putting on a brave face and shutting out his feelings. Up until now he was convinced that what he had done was for the best, up until Kwest threw facts in his face and an article that haunted his mind. Tom's once beautiful and innocent Jude was spiraling out of control and for once in the past months he was ready to the take the blame.

Spiederman sat beside Jude's hospital bed holding her hand in desperation. He had never been so scared in his whole life than the morning he went to wake Jude on the bus. He noticed an intolerable stench and how there was no response to her name being called. Reluctantly he shook her only to feel how cold she had become. Frantically he pushed her again screaming Jude, but nothing worked. There was light breathing, the only hope he had as he called 911. Now he sat next to her staring at her weak torso. Her eyes were open and she was completely aware of where and why she was in the hospital.

Spied noticed the tearstains and still wet patches. His thumb pressed lightly to her cheek, "You nearly gave me a heart attack Harrison."

"I'm sorry," Jude offered in a whisper.

"Never again, okay?" Spied choked out as Jude nodded her head yes. They placed their foreheads together as his hand still grasped hers tightly, "I'm gonna help you through this."

Once a few minutes passed Jude rested her head back to her pillow and pulled her hand away to hold to her stomach, "Has Tom tried calling at all?"

Spied was praying this question never arose, but here it was and it was extremely saddening to answer. "No Jude."

She rolled back her eyes trying to stop tears, "Oh."

Spied watched as she turned her face, but he swiftly captured it in his hands to stare into her watery orbs. "I'm sure he will Jude." It broke him completely to see someone he began to consider a best friend and even a sister figure this broken.

Hours passed and Jude had fell into a peaceful sleep. She was being looked after in the hospital for seventy-two hours before being shipped to a treatment center in California. Some of the doctors worried it was a suicide attempt but loved ones new better. Jude never meant to take too much she was just inexperienced. Spied had his head propped against the waiting room wall as he sat beside his blonde companion. Sadie arrived not too long ago in Denver to visit Jude. They both declared they would stay with her as long as they could. Both were barely asleep when the sound of shoes clicking rushed passed them. Spied's eyes flew open and he was in surprise when he saw who appeared before him. Sadie's eyes fluttered and her jaw dropped. The man bowed his head as he pulled off his sunglasses.

"Nice of you to finally show Tom," Sadie asserted crossing her arms. "We've begged for weeks for you to just talk with her!"

Tom sighed preparing his glasses in his t-shirt, "I'm here now."

"That's all that matters," Spied announced and Tom and Sadie turned to him in disbelief Spied would ever defend Jude's ex-fiancé. "She wouldn't have the strength to get better without a visit from him. You know that Sadie."

"You're right Spiederman," Sadie admitted as she turned to stare at Tom bitterly. "She needs closure so she can move on and learn to love herself without you."

Hearing how Jude needed to move on burned his being, but he told himself he came here just to show respect and support. He had wanted to marry the girl not too long ago; of course he still loved her. It was only right he came to her side when she needed someone the most. But he convinced himself his purpose was to help Jude understand she's better off. He dreadfully made his way to her room, but was taken back by how angelic and peaceful she looked lying in the hospital bed attached to numerous machines. Tom walked slowly to the side of her bed and then just hovered. He watched her breathing and reminisced of a time where he couldn't wait to wake up beside her every day and see this very sight.

"What have I done," he hushed letting his hand lightly caress her frail and limp fingers resting beside her body.

The touch must've woken her senses because electricity sparked up her body and her eyes flung open, "Tommy?"

He took a step back pulling his hand away quickly, "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"I am now," she said shyly while biting her lip. She didn't want to admit it, but seeing him brought hope to her soul. Jude knew it was dangerous to feel this way, but she couldn't help it.

"Jude I came here to say stop beating yourself up. I'm not worth this stress. You are far better-"

"Off without you?" Jude finished his sentence coldly, "I'm tired of hearing that. I'm tired of you thinking you know what's best for me."

"I keep hurting you Jude." Tom fought back running his hands through his hair.

"Because you're stupid Tommy." Tom's head flew to glare at her and she stood her ground in a serious manner, "You are a moron."

"Jude."

"Don't Jude me. You know I'm right. You're scared and stupid." Jude asserted crossing her arms.

"I'm not the one overdosing in the hospital," Tom rebutted stepping closer to her.

"So maybe I'm stupid too? Isn't that all the more reason for us to be together?" Jude chirped, her eyes pleading Tom to just agree.

Tom let her words rack his brain, "Jude everyone hates me. They all blame me. Don't do this. You need-"

"To be with you." Jude begged reaching her hand out. She motioned for him to come closer, and as much as he wanted to resist he just couldn't. Her magnetic forces were causing him to hold her hand firmly as her eyes dug into his. "I don't care what anyone says Tommy. I need you."

"You don't need me Jude. You don't need anyone. You're strong and beautiful and independent. You just lost some of that in me and I can't let you do that to yourself." Tom wanted her to see so badly what he saw, but even in his hopes to get her to hate him he couldn't let go of her hand.

Jude squeezed his fingers, "I'm incomplete without you Tommy. These past months have been hell. Please, just give me a chance to fix this."

"Jude you don't understand! You did nothing wrong this is all my fault!"

"If it's your fault then why aren't you fighting for me? Why do I have to hold on? Why am I so broken?" Jude began to sob pulling him down to her.

He pushed himself away reluctantly, "You just haven't realized it yet."

"Realized what Tommy?" She asked with her a heart aching tone.

"It's time to move on." He spoke softly with his head down trying to fight his own tears.

Jude just shook her head firmly, "No Tom. No."

Suddenly a doctor walked in holding his clipboard. He looked at the pair in tears clearing his throat, "Ms. Harrison, I have some personal news. You may want to clear your company."

Jude shook her head, "Tommy please stay." He looked to Jude and then the doctor. He noticed how dismal the man appeared and it hit him that he needed to be here for Jude even if a part of him insisted this would only make things more complicated. As much as he wanted to let her go he still loved her deeply. As Jude's eyes remained on him he let his hand fall to hers again. She smiled lightly and he heard a small "Thank you," leave her lips. Moments like this made him fear he was to weak to follow through with any of his original plans on coming here; which scared him to death.

"I'm sorry to say this, but due to the overdose your ovaries became inhabitable. Ms. Harrison you lost the baby."

Tom and Jude's eyes both widened and their hands held each other's painfully tight. "I was pregnant?" This changed everything.