A/N: Thank you all for the comments! I just wanted to say that I do not own either songs used in this chapter: Skin by Alexz Johnson and Far Enough by Ra. The title to the song "Walking and Thinking" also belongs to Ra as well. Enjoy the chapter and remember to review!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was the day of the charity event and the mansion was chaos central. Girls were running everywhere trying to get ready and put the finishing touches on their dress. Jude, on the other hand, was already dressed in her floor length gown, adding more mascara to her lashes.
Unlike the other girls, Jude spent most of her week on the dress while the other girls were trying to get Tommy's attention. Needless to say, that wasn't on Jude's top list of exciting things to do. Sure, she had gotten her camera time in, but she tried to stay as far away from Tommy as possible. When she couldn't avoid it, conversations were awkward and filled with silences. Neither of them knew what to say to the other; then again they didn't want to talk to each other anyway. Jude was trying to get over him, and Tommy was pissed off about the song he thought was about him. So in preparation he wrote his own song that he was going to sing, as a surprise, after Jude's performance. He already talked to Jeff about it and he approved it with great enthusiasm.
Jeff came by to all of the rooms to tell the girls it was time to gather downstairs to wait for the limo. When he stopped by Jude's room she was just coming out of the bathroom, completely ready. Her dress would easily make all of the others seem like discounts at Wal-Mart. Jude's hair had been swept into an elegant half up half down look with spiral curls.
"Wow, you're the first girl I've seen that's actually on time," Jeff stated happily. Jude didn't reply and instead gave a half smirk, not wanting to get engaged into a conversation with the creep. "Well I just wanted to tell you that the limo will be here shortly and you should head on downstairs." Jude just nodded and he left the room.
Jude took one last look at herself in the mirror, finally satisfied with her look. Leaving her room she headed downstairs toward the main hallway, where they were told to meet. Walking down the steps she realized that she wasn't the only one waiting. Tommy was at the bottom sitting in a chair with his head down in deep thought. Hearing footsteps he looked up and locked gazes with Jude. She was a knock out and he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Jude saw Tommy staring at her and couldn't help but blush. It reminded her of the first time Tommy had watched her descend from the main staircase. It seemed like an eternity ago, but in reality was only a little over a month. It was so much less complicated then…Jude thought still staring into the blue eyes that seem to pierce straight through her. Jude felt her knees go weak as she grabbed onto the railing for extra support, momentarily breaking the eye contact. Once done it seemed like a magical trance had been lifted, and both went back to their recent ways of awkward glances.
Tommy shifted in his seat, feeling very uncomfortable with the fact that Jude could still make his heart skip several beats, even when he was flat out pissed at her. Suddenly he started talking out of nowhere, not really certain at where his voice was coming from.
"Why did you lie to me?" he asked full of anger. Jude was surprised by his voice, not expecting him to actually start a conversation. But she was more surprised by the amount of anger he held.
"What are you talking about?" she asked cautiously.
"Why did you act like you even cared? Were you just having fun, and the minute it began to get serious you decide to bail? Or was it that you didn't want your buddy ol' pal Mason to find out?" he asked trying to refrain from drawing a scene with the camera crew. Jude's jaw clenched as frustration built inside of her. How dare he accuse me of that?
"There are things you don't know and wouldn't understand Tommy, and Mason has nothing to do with any of it," she replied with malice.
"Yeah well I understand one thing, Jude. I'm tired of your bullshit, and I've had enough. I'm also sick of how you're just carelessly all over Mason right in front of me."
"One: You and I aren't together, so you shouldn't even care about that. Two: You couldn't be more wrong about Mason. We are best friends, and if you can't handle that, go jump off a cliff. Don't count on me to be at the funeral though. And Three: I never lied to you! Everything that I have told you has been the truth. Sure, there are some things that I can't say, because if I do, I'll get slapped with a lawsuit. And even telling you that is pushing it right now!" she finished exhausted. For a moment Tommy was speechless, wondering about the law suit, and if it was even true. His gaze was still locked very sternly with Jude's not wanting to show her that her words had an affect on him.
Before he could say anything more, the rest of the girls started coming downstairs in a blurred sea of red. Tommy kept his stare fixed on Jude for a few more seconds before turning toward the ladies who were out of breath from running around for the past hour. None of the dresses looked as good as Jude's, which came as a surprise to Sadie who worked hours on her precious creation.
Jude stood up and left Tommy staring after her, but lost her in the pack of women. Giving a heavy sigh he stood up, plastered a fake smile on his face and followed the girls into the limo.
Upon arrival at the Civic Theater, where the show was to be held, the girls were thrust in every which direction. After getting the girls positioned for the fashion show portion, Jude became a little nervous. She loved being on stage, but she had never done any modeling before. While in line they were informed of the events that would happen that evening. First, the girls would put on the fashion show for the audience, and then Jude would do a quick change before taking the stage to perform "Skin". Afterwards she would have to step back into the dress for the auction portion of the evening. All of the proceeds were going to an organization that helped underprivileged children throughout the United States. Jude spotted some of Darius's goons come in through the doors with cameras. Darius caught word of Jude performing a new song and sent some of his men down to video tape it in case he liked the song and decided she should keep it for her next album.
Tommy was also pushed backstage to receive instructions for the night's activities. Instead of auctioning off a dress, he would be auctioning off a 'Day with Tom Quincy'. Then after impatiently sitting through Jude's song, he would come on stage for the debut of his new song "Walking and Thinking". He had actually written two songs, but decided on this one, being a slower song. However, just in case he came prepared to sing the other one as well.
The next few hours passed by rather quickly, for Jude at least. Most of the girls were nervous wrecks worried about how much their dress would get auctioned off for. Some even got so paranoid that they actually started to think that the girl who went for the least amount of money would be eliminated. Jude chuckled to herself at that thought. She just couldn't wait to get the auctioning over with but first she had to perform. Jeff thought that if she would perform first she might get more bids on her dress.
Finally the time came for Jude to perform her newest song. She was nervous but at the same time ecstatic to finally get her chance to stick it to Jeff. Doesn't matter if he notices or not, as long as I can publicly sing it, it's all good…She thought changing from her dress into jeans and a led zeppelin T-shirt with a jean jacket.
Taking her place on the stool she stared into the crowd, all of her nerves vanishing. Her sight set on Tommy for a second or two, noticing a strange expression on his face that she couldn't quite identify. Finally she took the microphone into her hands.
"Thank all of you for coming out tonight! Every little bit you guys give helps and in appreciation I'm going to sing a very special song for you tonight. It's titled 'Skin'. It's for everyone out there that knows someone that you would've loved to taken a very large detour from the day that you met," she spoke getting a loud cheer in understanding from her fans. This caused her to smile as she placed the microphone back on the stand, gripping her guitar. She glanced back to Jeff one last time devilishly. Tommy had his eyes fixed intently on her, expecting her to start serenading him with her angry words. He was very surprised, however, when she never even looked in his direction.
I drift away to a place
Another kind of life
Take away the pain
I create my paradise
Everything I've held
Has hit the wall
What used to be yours
Isn't yours at all
Falling apart, and all that I'm asking
Is it a crime, am I overreacting
Oh, he's under my skin
Just give me something to get rid of him
I've got a reason now to bury this alive
Another little white lie
So what you had didn't fit
Among the pretty things
never fear, never fear
I now know where you've been
Braids have been un-tied
As Ribbons fall away
Leave the consequence
My tears you'll taste
Falling apart and all that I question
Is this a dream or is this my lesson
Jude sang with as much anger and aggression as she could pack into the song without over singing it. Everyone in the crowd was at awe, relating to the song perfectly with the crap that went on in their own lives. Jude glanced up to see Tommy's jaw clenched. He probably thinks it about him, he's so full of himself…she thought looking to the side stage at Jeff who had a big cheesy grin plastered on his face. He has no fucking clue…she thought getting ready to finish off the song.
Oh, he's under my skin
Give me something to get rid of him
I've got a reason now to bury this alive
Another little white lie
Oh my permission to sin
You might have started my reckoning
I've got a reason now to bury him alive
Another little white lie…
Jude couldn't help but smile as everyone screamed her name and cheered at the closing of the song. It felt great to finally get her feelings off her chest. So far she had survived the fashion show with no incident, receiving the most applauds because, of course, she's a celebrity after all. But performing was what she did for a living. She wasn't much of a model. She quickly ran backstage to get back into her dress. She watched as the other girls strut down the platform.
Finally it was her turn to take the stage. The crowd gave a roaring sound of cries, cheers, and clapping. When it all died down, the host for the evening took the microphone and started the bidding at lightning speed. I never understand how the hell they can talk that fast…Jude thought and the next thing she knew her dress was up for 5,000. She gave the crowd another bright smile and flipped her hair causing a bunch of guys in the front row to holler and wolf whistle. When the bidding was finally closed, her dress had gone for 10,000, topping all of the other dresses combined. Jude was surprised but happy.
As she watched her fans cheering for her, she was thinking about her song. She didn't care if Jeff didn't know it was about him. It's probably better off that way, he probably would've given me a damn law suit…she scoffed as she walked off stage. Thinking the show was over with she went to go walk outside, but was stopped by Jeff.
"Not so fast Jude, there's still more performances and no one can leave yet," he spoke with a smile playing across his face. Why does he always have to have that same damn smile? It's like it's permanently glued on his ugly face…she thought with hostility.
"What other acts? I thought I was the last one…"
"Actually, no. Tom Quincy has a song he wants to perform, possibly two if he receives an encore," he spoke in happy tone. Jude was shocked but didn't show it. That would just give him more pleasure than he deserves. Instead she just walked over to the opposite side of the stage and watched Tommy as he passed by her on his way to the stage. He didn't even give her sideways glance.
Tommy was pissed beyond belief. He and his big ego still thought that the song was about him, and he needed to vent his frustrations. He stomped by Jude, not even being able to look her in the face. Ok screw the slow song, I'm playing the other one. I need to vent some anger…he thought walking over to Jeff to tell him of the change in plans. He then went over, notified the band then took the mike.
The crowd roared once again as Tommy made his way to center stage. Nobody was expecting a song from him and the crowd was a little more than excited. They weren't the only ones excited, however. Darius's camera men were having a field day, knowing they would get paid extra for bringing back new footage of Quincy's song...if it was good.
"Thank you all! It's a pleasure to be performing again, however this time you'll find the style a little different from my Boyz Attack days," he said flashing the audience his million dollar smile, "The song is titled 'Far Enough'. It's for all the guys out there that are tired of taking crap from people, especially women," he spoke receiving cheers of "Hell Yeah!" coming from many guys. Tommy cued the band and took off on a new wave of energy.
It's on my face
It's in my feelings
The scars that carry on your name
You fold your arms
You don't believe me
You don't like to think you cause me pain
Yet here I am
Your worst creation
A soulless reckless imbecile
Don't turn away
You can't ignore it
It's what you wanted all the while
You've taken this far enough
You think but you're not so tough
You've taken this far enough from me
I'm getting bored
With isolation
I'm getting sick of all your crap
You stare me down
But you don't see me
You do the crime I take the rap
If someone saw this
They'd say it's crazy
If someone saw this they'd probably lose their mind
So now I'm done
You can't evade me
There's someone else I need to find
Everyone in the crowd was going crazy. They couldn't believe that Tom Quincy was actually…good. Actually he was better than good, he was tearing the roof off. Jude could see Jeff with his stupid grin plastered on his face, and every once in a while he would glance over in Jude's direction. Jude didn't bother hiding her emotions anymore. The song got to her, and her face was filled with mixed emotions. Mostly anger, knowing the song was about her. She also knew she had to do something about this or else Tommy would just keep getting worse and worse. She had to set him straight. But for now the song was churning her stomach into a big knot, wanting to leave but knowing it would cause confusing stares.
You're stuck in a fantasy
But my heart knows what's real
There's nothing left to say
Maybe I wasn't meant to be
You cannot vote for reality
Look around and close your eyes
You'll get the message in disguise
You've taken this far enough
You think but you're not so tough
You've taken this far enough from
You've taken this far enough
I'm so sick of all your stuff
You've taken this far enough from
You've taken this far enough… from me
Tommy ended the song feeling glorified and free. He was able to release his feelings, and it was that best feeling in the world. He had forgotten what a rush it was being on stage, except now he was finally able to sing songs that mattered to him. However his smile was stolen from his face when he came face to face with Jude backstage.