A/N: Thanks again for all the comments! I'll be leaving tomorrow morning for soccer camp so this will be the last post until probaby sunday night...so it's not that long of a wait but i just thought i'd let you guys know. To MarsLoVe4eVer: it's actually called DLS (Dirty Little Secret) and you can get to it by this address: /is (to anyone who's confused, that's the link to another amazing fan fic site devoted specifically to Instant Star)

Read and Reveiw!

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jude was very surprised at how Tommy could've fled the room faster than her, and was trying not to cower as she saw the deathly stare that was fixed on his face. Oooh…he's mad, no…beyond mad. Livid with a side of 'I want to kill you'…

Tommy lightened his expression after seeing how afraid he was making her. But then again, he didn't really give a shit at the moment. Why should I care if she's scared or not, she lied to me…Finally Tommy spoke in harsh tones.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Tommy seemed to be semi amused at this comment.

"Why what?! Are you seriously going to just stand there and pretend that nothing's wrong here, that you never lied to me and forced us through the most painful breakup when you knew you were going to be coming on the show!" Tommy's face turned multiple shades of red before finally gaining composer and calming down again. He turned away from her then turned back again repeating himself.

"Why?"

Jude turned away from him, and then looked down to the ground not knowing where to begin, but knowing that she could not give away anything regarding the million dollars. Not with the way they've been filmed in the past; she'd get caught. So instead she began to tell him a half truth. Not a lie, but not entirely the whole story.

"I'm sorry Tommy, but I couldn't tell you. They wouldn't let me," she started but was quickly interrupted.

"They wouldn't….they wouldn't LET YOU! After all we've been through you couldn't at least mention it one time? It's not that hard… 'Hey just wanted to let you know that I will a contestant on the show,' doesn't take that long," he snapped bitterly. For a second Jude stood there speechless with a pained expression across her face, but reluctantly tried to explain once again.

"This is what I was talking about when we started this relationship, no matter what happens if we break up you have to accept it and be happy of the time we spent together," she spoke calmly.

"You see that is what I'm not getting right now. Why did we have to go through that painful break up, and why were you especially so torn up if you knew you would get your chance in a week?" he asked, trying and failing to control his temper. Jude was getting tired of him yelling and couldn't take it anymore.

"BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE TOGETHER!" she screamed almost as loud as Tommy. Seeing as how this only made Tommy even more confused she continued, "No matter how much we want to, it just can't happen Tommy. And please for once, trust me on this and don't force me. I know it makes no sense, but if I give in to you again, it will only hurt you a hundred times worse than this. I can't tell you anything, so I'm not going to lie to you. Instead I'm going to say that this can't happen and you need to understand that and let me go," she explained pleadingly.

Tommy was still confused as hell and wasn't ready to let this matter go as she wished. However he had calmed down a great deal from before. Jude could see his face turn back from red to its normal color. Seeing him calmer also helped put her at ease a little bit. Tommy looked her straight in the eye and Jude could see the toll this was taking on him, and her.

"I can't let you go, Jude," he spoke in a whisper bringing a hand to touch her face. Jude closed her eyes and let a tear slide down her face. This was what she was afraid of, that he wouldn't be able to let her go and so they would be destined for trouble in the end.

"But you have to," she spoke in the same, hushed tone.

"I can't just let the woman I love go without a fight." Jude's breath hitched in her throat as she heard him speak those words of love again. I can't take this anymore…She thought while more tears escaped from her soft blue eyes, smudging the make-up that had been caked on earlier by the make-up artists. Jude brought her hand to touch Tommy's, which was still on her face. Tommy closed his eyes for a brief second, memorizing her touch. When they opened their eyes they locked gazes with each other. Jude was finding it tremendously hard not to give in, but she had to keep her ground. Not just for me, but for Tommy…

"As much as I love you Tommy, I can't. I'm sorry but, you'll be thanking me in the long run," she spoke turning away from him. Tommy was spellbound at first, not believing his ears. She loves me? That's not possible; I thought that was the reason why she didn't want us together? His short drift off caused him a delayed reaction in chasing after Jude.

"Jude wait!" he yelled running up to her and turning her around the face him. He could see the eye-liner running down her face as a result of the tears she had begun to shed. Her eyes were water-rimmed and red, and yet all Tommy could think of was how she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Jude reluctantly looked up, not wanting to get sucked back in by his power over her. Tommy could see her pleading look, and he realized that even if he was convinced it wasn't over between them, he couldn't make it happen tonight. But I'm still not giving up…he thought to himself.

"Do I at least get a goodbye kiss?" he asked quietly but hopefully. Jude didn't answer him, but instead brought her lips to meet his. It was simple yet electrifying and sent chills up and down Tommy's spine. When she pulled back, neither could find words. There was no use for them anyway, their looks to each other already said enough. So without another word Jude turned away and walked up the steps, only looking behind her when she got to the top. She locked gazes with Tommy once again before finally turning away for the last time…at least for that night.

When Jude reached her bedroom she was finally able to break down. She had kept her emotions bottled up inside of her all night and they were about to burst open. As soon as she closed the door the tears began to fall more freely as she slid down to the floor leaning back against the bedroom door. I think I've cried more on this 'vacation' than I've ever cried in my whole life…she thought finally having enough energy to stand up.

The first thing she did was to take off her annoying high heeled stilettos and discard them in her closet. Next she took out a pair of black sweatpants with a gray hoodie, replacing the black dress with them. After folding the dress over her desk chair she walked into her bathroom wanting to wash what was left of her make-up away.

Jude looked into the mirror seeing her twin staring back at her. Her eyes were swollen and wet, the once perfectly placed blonde curls were disheveled, and the make-up that had once been on her eyes was now half way down her face. Isn't this attractive? She thought while wiping away the make-up and sweeping her hair up into a ponytail. She debated on taking a long bath but decided against it, needing something to take her mind off of tonight and not let her ponder over every detail of it. Instead Jude shut off the bathroom light and returned to her bedroom. However she soon regretted her decision after a raging Sadie stormed into the room.

"How could you?! What the hell are you doing with Tommy? I knew something was up, I just knew it! But I gave you the benefit of the doubt being my sister. You're my own flesh and blood! What were you thinking!" She exclaimed ranting off at lightning speed.

Even if Jude wanted to answer any of her questions, she wouldn't have been able to get in a word edge wise.

"I mean you lied to me! Sisters don't do that! You knew how much I loved Tommy, why did you do this to me?!" Jude however, wanting to crawl into a corner, thought that she should at least start talking before Sadie said anything more.

"Ok just stop! Listen to me, please," she stated to an angry Sadie, "without interruptions," she added seeing that she was ready to go off on one of her little temper tantrums again. "One, I never in a million years ever thought that I would ever like 'Little Tommy Q'," she started, "let alone love him."

This caused a shocked look from Sadie, but Jude continued with her explanation. "I couldn't help it. I tried stopping it, many times. But he kept pushing me until I couldn't resist. Not that this was his entire fault, not by a long shot." Jude took a few deep breaths trying to fight back the fiery emotion that was filling her up once again. After a moment or two she started again, surprised at how Sadie could control herself to stay silent.

"One night, the producers of the show gathered all of the extra guests of the contestants for a meeting. He told us that when it got down to the top ten, the extras that were left would be joining the show. But then somehow Jeff found out about our relationship. He blackmailed us into breaking up, I knew I was going to enter the show, but we were sworn not to tell anyone. If we did we would've gotten a million dollar law suit slapped in our face. That last clip that was played was right after Jeff had spoken to us about our relationship," Jude closed her eyes and brought a trembling hand to her face. The emotion was too much to bear and the wave of tears came crashing back to her. Jude never wanted to remember that night again for as long as she lived, however it was also her most memorable night as well. Finally after gaining some composer she opened her eyes to meet Sadie's.

"Then just recently I found out that in light of the new information at hand, Jeff had decided to only take me on as a new contestant," she replied finally finished with her story.

Sadie had an understanding look on her face, feeling sorry for what her sister was going through. Jude went to sit down on her bed, putting her face into her hands.

"Jude, I'm sorry you had to go through this. If I knew there was some catch like this I wouldn't have brought you here," she apologized. "But still, how did you and Tommy happen? I mean you used to hate him. And I don't mean just a slight dislike, you full out hated that guy's guts," she said half laughing. Jude gave a short laugh not knowing exactly how to answer. I don't think I even know the answer to that one…Jude thought while Sadie continued.

"I guess it really is true."

"What?" Jude asked watching her sister stand up.

"That no one can resist the Quincy charm," she stated simply before turning back to leave the room. She's right, I mean if I couldn't resist him, who could? Jude thought, remembering all of the girls Tommy has been with, in and out of the tabloids.

"Sadie?"

"Yeah Jude?"

"I'm sorry, I really am," she apologized once again. Sadie had a hurt and pained, yet merciful look on her face.

"I know, now it looks like I'll be competing against my sister. Not my choice," she answered giving a weak smile before leaving the room. Jude sat there thinking to herself before an idea formed quickly inside her mind.

"I need a friend…. no…. I need Mason." She quickly picked up her phone and dialed the familiar number.

"Hey Jude."

"I was wondering if your offer still open for you to get your and I quote 'sexy gay ass' over here?"

"It would be my pleasure," Jude laughed. She realized that it was the first real laugh she'd shed in days.