Hi—I'm back with another story. This one is pretty different from my last two. It's a story of Jude's life five years after Tommy leaves, told almost entirely from her perspective.
It's not the most original story line—several writers have crafted their own futurefic's with Tommy and Jude, but this one has my own personal spin on it. It's how I see their lives playing out if Tommy never came back, while Jude is forced to move on without him. The only other background info you'll need is that Jude now has a boyfriend, Rob, who also lives in New York. The rest will be explained within the story.
When I started writing this story, I became so engrossed in it, I had trouble turning my computer off. So a lot of it is already written—like at least 15 chapters. I know, I was seriously on a roll. I'm not planning on doing author's notes for each chapter, unless there's something specific to say. But I will pose the following disclaimers that apply to the rest of the story:
What I do own: the story itself, any band names (they're all made up, except for one in a later chapter, which I'll note then), Mix Magazine (totally made up), Cleo's Restaurant, and any characters who don't actually exist in the real IS world
What I don't own: Jude, Tommy, or anything actually associated with Instant Star, NYU, or Starbucks (a constant reference)
I'm taking a chance and posting two chapters as a starter, because I think both are important to give background on where Jude's life stands and where the story really begins.
People say to write what you know. Well, this story isn't exactly what I know, since I'm not a singer and I unfortunately never had a Tommy Q in my life, but it definitely has some similarities. I love the story, but I appreciate any constructive criticism you might have. So be honest—let me know what you think. And with all of my stories, I hope you enjoy :-)
"Grande mocha with skim milk."
"Grande skim mocha!" the girl cried out to her counterpart behind the counter. "And you?"
"Tall latte with no extra foam."
"Tall latte – no foam! Anything else?"
"Nope, that's it," Jude said as Rob went to grab his wallet out of his back pocket.
"I can get it this time," Jude said, digging into her bag to produce a $20 bill. "You paid last time."
She handed the money to the girl behind the counter who instantly produced change and ushered them along to the pick-up counter.
"Thanks," he said, putting the wallet back in his pocket.
"This Starbucks habit of ours is expensive, we should split it," Jude suggested, leaning against the edge of the pick-up counter.
"Expensive is an understatement. I think I've paid more money to Starbucks than I have to my grad school tuition," Rob said.
"Grande skim mocha!" the woman behind the pick-up counter yelled. Jude immediately turned and grabbed the cup out of her hand, retrieving her coffee.
"Tall latte, no foam," the woman said, handing Rob his cup of coffee.
Armed with their caffeine fix, they headed out of Starbucks, emerging onto the busy sidewalk on the corner of West 4th and Grove. Taking small sips from their cups, they both exhaled deeply.
"Best $4.50 I'll spend all day," Jude said softly. They took a few moments to sip more, before beginning their day.
"So," Rob started, walking towards the subway, "ready for your big interview with The Heat?"
"I guess," she replied hesitantly, walking alongside him. "I listened to their CD again last night, but honestly, it's still not gelling for me. I don't know—something's off. But I can't exactly tell them that in the interview."
"Sure you can," he countered. "You're a professional. And you've been in their shoes."
"I can't come out and say, 'You guys are the biggest up-and-coming band in New York City but I thought your album was dull.' That would officially turn my first interview into my last."
"Jude, it's called constructive criticism. You're entitled to your own opinion."
"But I'm supposed to just ask questions and be neutral. I don't know…" she said, approaching the subway and stopping to look at him.
"You'll do great," he said, leaning in and giving her a quick kiss.
"Thanks," she said timidly. "And good luck on your exam today."
"Thanks," he returned. "I'll need it."
"I'll see you tonight then?" she asked, finishing up her mocha and tossing the empty cup into the trash bin next to them.
"Yup. 6:30 at Cleo's, right?"
"Right," she confirmed. "See you then."
She waved goodbye as they separated, him crossing the street to go to the uptown train and she walking down the stairs towards the downtown train.
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"Do you guys mind if I record this? So I can remember everything and quote you accurately," Jude asked, looking into the eyes of the five guys before her.
"Sure, we don't care," one of them replied.
"Great," she said, turning her handheld recorder on and placing it on the table between them. She took a deep breath and began, "So, I'm sitting here with The Heat, New York's biggest punk band at the moment. How does it feel to be on the cover of magazines and have your faces start to appear on TV?"
"It feels weird," one of the guys responded, who Jude remembered was Johnny, the lead singer. "When people start to recognize us, it's a strange feeling."
"Yeah, I understand," Jude muttered quietly. "Do you like the attention or would you prefer to remain anonymous?"
"It's a good thing. It means that people are listening to the album, which is our goal – to get people to hear the music," the drummer, Simon, replied.
"How was the process of making the album?" she asked.
"It was cool," Johnny said. "We liked being in the studio and actually laying down our stuff. Hearing the CD for the first time was unbelievable."
"It is amazing, isn't it? Getting to hold the CD, it's like a rush," Jude replied instinctively. She quickly cleared her throat, remembering her place as the interviewer, not the interviewee. "So, anyway, are you happy about—"
"Wait," the guitarist, Steve, interrupted suddenly. He scrutinized Jude for a second and then asked. "Are you the Jude Harrison? As in, Instant Star Jude Harrison?"
Jude blushed a little and then said quietly, "That's me."
"Wow," Steve said, "I heard your name but didn't put two and two together. I have family from Canada who love you—they have all of your albums."
"Really? That's great," Jude said timidly, totally flustered at being recognized.
"Your music, it was really great. I'm not usually a fan of the whole chick music thing, but your stuff was different. It was real, emotional. Inspiring."
"Wow, thank you," she said, blushing again. The rest of the band looked at her like she was from Mars. They obviously had no idea who she was or what he was talking about. Steve noticed their confused reactions and started to explain.
"She's the first Instant Star winner. It was like American Idol but in Canada. She was huge—won all of these awards and put out a bunch of hit albums."
They all nodded in understanding, as he looked back at her and asked, "Actually, what happened? You haven't put out anything new in years."
Jude shifted uncomfortably, never knowing how to answer this question. "I just…moved on. After my third album, I needed a change. So I moved here to go to school and ended up staying. I got this journalist job at Mix Magazine after graduation and…the rest is history."
"So you're not recording anymore?" Johnny asked.
"Nope," she said, shaking her head.
"That's a shame," Steve said. "You had some serious talent. Not that you're not a great journalist or anything…"
Jude laughed. "No, I understand. Music was everything to me. It still is. I guess I just needed some time away from recording and performing."
"You got burnt out?" Steve asked.
"Sort of…" Jude responded vaguely. "Anyway, this interview is for you guys, not me. You're our top story in the next issue and you're my first big interview, so let's get back to you."
The guys all nodded in agreement and returned to the interview. The rest of the hour went smoothly, with all questions focused on their debut album, upcoming tour, and rise to fame.
---------------
At 6:30, right on time, a cheerful Jude walked into Cleo's and saw Rob sitting in their booth in the corner. She approached him and gave him a quick kiss before sitting down opposite him.
"Looks like someone had a good day," he commented, seeing her smile.
"I did, actually," she replied. "The Heat was awesome. They were such nice guys and they gave a great interview."
"That's great, Jude," he said. "Did you tell them you weren't thrilled with their music?"
"Not exactly…" she said slowly. "I gave them a few ideas, but I couldn't bring myself to tell them what I really thought. It would've blown the interview."
"Not if they were professional," he replied. "They should know how to take criticism."
"Well, I didn't want to," she put simply. "This was my first interview, Rob, I didn't want to walk away feeling like I had pissed them off. It wasn't right."
"Whatever," he muttered quietly, picking up his menu.
She looked at him, slightly put off by his demeanor. "Did you have a bad day or something? How did your exam go?"
"Not great," he mumbled.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, looking down at her own menu.
He sighed and looked at her. "It's okay, I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated—I studied really hard for that exam and I walked out feeling like I failed. What more do I have to do?"
"Maybe you should meet with the professor," she suggested.
He thought for a moment. "Yeah…that's not a bad idea."
"Maybe you're just paranoid over nothing. Just see how you did and you can always go talk to him if you're not happy with your grade."
"Okay," he replied with a smile. "Sorry about my bad mood before."
"It's okay," she said with a grin.
"Anyway, I'm happy that your interview went well."
"Thanks," she said. "It was cool. One of the guys even recognized me."
"Seriously?" he asked in surprise. When Jude met Rob at a friend's party, she was a senior at NYU and had officially given up her music career to pursue writing. Being originally from Connecticut, Rob had no clue who Jude Harrison was or her days as the reigning Instant Star winner. She briefly told him of her past life but didn't go into detail.
"What did he say?" he asked curiously.
"Just that he had family from Canada and they were all fans of mine back in the day. He had heard some of my stuff and liked it."
"That's cool," Rob said. "When do I get to hear some of your stuff?"
She laughed lightly and replied, "Whenever you want—just go buy the CD. All proceeds go to my student loan foundation."
"I don't get a live concert?" he asked sweetly.
"Nope," she answered quickly. "No more live concerts. Sorry."
"Not even for your boyfriend? Who's treating you to dinner?"
"Hmmm…" she said, appearing to be in thought. "Tempting offer, but sorry. I've retired my guitar."
He shook his head in disappointment as she continued. "Anyway, let's order. I'm starving."
"What else is new," he mumbled quietly, as she leaned across the table and hit his arm.