Hey everyone...I got this idea in..you guessed it..history class. I saw this book at a bookstore called Countdown, and I read the summary. So it's not really based on the book, but the title is. So I hope you like it. It's very dramatic, tragic, and a lot of romance...so read and review please!

Disclaimer: I do not own the book Countdown anything dealing with Instant Star.


Chapter 1: You're Cheating Heart

I can't remember when it all started, but I remember how. How my world came crashing down. When I knew nothing would be okay again. When I know, the countdown had begun for the end of my life. I just didn't know how close it was to zero, until I collapsed on the cold, wet, cement.

I guess I should tell you this story from the beginning. I'm not sure when it was; maybe, a couple years, a couple of months ago. All I know is that I was in the studio with my boyfriend Tommy. Excuse me, now known as ex-boyfriend. Anyway, we were sitting on the seats while he was mixing my latest songs and I was bored.

Jude: Are you almost done?

Tommy: Hold on, I'm trying to make it just right.

Jude: Well hurry up. You said you had a birthday surprise for me and I don't think I can wait any longer.

Tommy: Listen, "Miss I'm 20 now so I have no patience". You'll get your surprise right after I'm done. I promise.

Jude: Fine, I'm going to get some pop. You want anything?

Tommy: No thanks sweetie.

I leaned in and kissed him and made my way to hospitality. I got my pop and I started to read the paper that was left on the counter. I turned to page 8 where the top ten songs were listed. Last week I was number 4, this week I was number 1. I smiled widely. My song had only been out 3 weeks and it already hit number 1 on the charts. I ran back to Studio 1 and almost tripped over one of the wires on the floor.

Tommy: Whoa, be careful. What's the rush?

Jude: I'm number 1! My song Sweet Hearts! It hit number 1!

Tommy: Congratulations!

Tommy stood up from his chair and gave me a big hug and a light kiss on the cheek. I sat down and kept looking as I threw my empty can in the trash. When Tommy was finally done, he took my hand and led me to his hummer. As we drove it was pretty silent. I hate silence. So I turned on the radio. Sweet Hearts blasted through the speakers. Tommy and I started to sing along.

I've met some different hearts

Standing strong 'til they fall apart

I guess there's no escaping

From all the hearts in this world that's existing

So many I've been through

So tell me baby what kind of heart are you

Smart hearts are always too shy

Brave hearts never stay by your side

Pure hearts always do what they should

Oh baby, that's no good

But once I met you, I know the truth

Sweet hearts are perfectly perfect for me

We sang and laughed all the way home. Once we reached the door stepped he pulled out a bandana and blindfolded me. He led me inside and upstairs. I was so afraid I was going to bump into something but he led me safely into an unfamiliar room. When I was on tour for my senior album, he told me he was working on the house. I haven't seen it since I've been staying at Sadie's to help her with the new baby. So I figured I was in the new room. He took the blindfold off me and I almost fainted at what I saw.

Jude: Tommy, a home studio? This must've cost a fortune. How'd you…

Tommy: Don't worry about it. Do you like it?

Jude: Like it? I love it! Thank you.

I turned around and gave him a thank you kiss and a hug. I went inside and started playing with the keys.

Tommy: Happy Birthday girl.

Happy beginning right? Well, my life was pretty much perfect then. Sadie and Kwest were married with a beautiful baby boy named Austin, and I was on my 5th album and learning how to produce. I was also dating the guy of my dreams and we had a beautiful home. Nothing could possibly go bad, right? Wrong! My problems started a week after my birthday. For some reason I can't remember the date. But I know it happen 2 days after, or something like that.

I was just coming back form the studio. Tommy never came. He said he felt sick so Kwest took over. A whole day without Tommy was murder. I was eager to get home. I ran into my mustang and drove home as fast as I could. Once I got home the door was locked. I just figured he locked it so no one would come in incase he fell asleep. I fiddled with my keys and went inside. I climbed the stairs to our room thinking he was asleep. Well, I was right about him being in bed. But there was someone else with him, and they were kissing. A skinny, pretty-face, model-like, brunette was under him as he started to lift up her skirt. My eyes were filled with tears and I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Jude: No!

Tommy and his new lady friend stopped abruptly and that's when Tommy saw me. I ran out the door and was going into my car until I felt someone grab me. It was Tommy. He came out with his pants unbutton and no shirt.

Tommy: Jude, what are you doing home so early?

I couldn't believe what he just ask me.

Jude: What am I doing home so early? Tommy I find you in bed with another woman and you ask me what I'm doing home so early?

Tommy: Jude…

Jude: Tommy how could you? I thought you loved me!

Tommy: I do! But…but we never…you know.

I couldn't believe my ears. This guy was telling me that the reason he was cheating was because I never had sex with him!

Jude: Oh well, I'm sorry I don't open my legs every night for you. I'm sorry I wanted to wait!

I started to cry even harder. My tears wouldn't stop. He just stood there. I could tell that he had no idea how to respond to that. I just gave him a dirty look and went into my car. I tried close the door but he stopped it.

Tommy: Jude, wait! I'm sorry.

Jude: You're sorry? That's all you have to say?

Tommy: Jude, I love you, please don't leave.

I spun off and once I was on the road I shut my door. I drove for hours not knowing where I was going. To this day I can still see that image in my head. I stayed at my old house with my dad for…umm, I'm guessing 8 months. By then I had a new producer. His name was Adam Branch. He was sweet, sensitive, and incredibly hot. I hadn't talked to Tommy since, but apparently he dropped the brunette. He kept calling me but I would just ignore them. It was erally hard trying to get over him, but Adam helped me. Adam was 23 and he understood even better than Tommy. I knew I was falling for him. Why do I always fall for my producers? It was only 10 months, wait, yea, 10 months after me and Tommy but I couldn't help it. He had beautiful blonde rocker hair and gorgeous green eyes. He knew music, he could sing, and he could play any instrument imaginable.

One night at the studio, he was helping me write a song for my 5th album, and he kissed me. And from then on we started dating. Everything was coming together again, until I had a phone call from my dad. He said it was urgent. I drove home and found Sadie on the couch crying.

Jude: What's up?

Stuart: Jude, honey, sit down. I need to tell you something.


So how do you like it? Please review! Oh and incase you're confused about Jude. She can't remember when anything happened. So she's basically getting mixed up or guessing when everything was. Well..I'm off to write chapter 2...