A/N: Hello all. Thank you so much for your reviews and stuff. Thanks for everything. THannnnnnnnnk you. lol. Why am I thanking you so much? Because, you have made it to the final chapter of my story. It is completed. Thanks for sticking by me. Thanks. Thanks. A million times, thanks. I hope you all enjoy this final chapter, I tried to give everybody what they asked for
Disclaimer: I dont own IS...but I do own the songs and the characters not in the show. Oh yeah, and I don't own Berklee either.
Chapter 9-
The next few days, Jude had only called Tommy to check up on him and see how everything was doing. He was still angry at her and would keep the calls as short as possible. He didn't break up with her, he just needed to clear his head. This is not the first time she's done something stupid...Tommy reminded himself. So, why do I care so much now? She's still Jude, right? Jude stripped at a party...with guys...with Vince...and lord knows who else.
Jude moped around school, talking only shortly to Rena on the way back home. Vince had offered to take her to the movies but she kindly declined.
"What's been eating you?" Vince asked
"Tommy still won't talk to me" Jude said, trying not to cry in front of him "Since he found out about my little performance at Rena's party."
"You were drunk"
"That's what I told him, but he wouldn't listen to me"
"Well he didn't break up with you"
"He might, though. He hasn't talked to me at all since I found out he knew."
"Well, maybe he likes strippers" Vince said teasingly, flicking Jude in the temple. She grew a smile and pushed him.
"Maybe" She said, shrugging.
"I gotta go, see you in theory" He said. "Maybe we can figure out how to get your man back"
"Thanks, Vince, really" She walked into her dorm and threw her keys on the counter, stumbling to her room. It was only 10 AM. Her next class wasn't till noon. She layed on the bed and let one more tear fall.
"How much longer are you going to be mad at me?" Jude asked herself, as if asking Tommy. "How long?"
There was a knock at the front door. Kate groaned loudly from the living room and answered it.
"It's for you!" Kate yelled. Jude rolled off her bed and went to the door.
"Hello..." Jude greeted, confused. She'd never seen this man before in her life.
"I'm the administrator of the events that happen at this school. My name is George Pont. May I come in?"
"Yeah, sure" Jude held the door open wider so he could come in. He sat on the couch. "Did you need something?"
"Yes, actually. I've heard quite I deal about you, Ms. Harrison." George explained. "You won the Instant Star contest when you were 15. I know that you've released 2 albums. I also know that Darius is your manager."
"You've done alot of research, haven't you?" Jude asked.
"Darius is actually a good friend of mine. He promised me that if I let you perform here in our Berklee theatre that you won't let us down.'
"The Berklee theatre! But I've only been in there once for a jazz concert! It's huge!" She exclaimed "Alot of famous people have been on that stage"
"And are you not willing to join them?" George folded his hands in his lap.
"Mr. Pont...do you really think I can do it?" Jude asked.
"I know you can do it" said a different voice. Jude's eyes shot toward the doorway, and there was Tommy walking in with his hands in his pocket. He stretched his arms out when he got in the living room and Jude got out of her seat and embraced him tightly.
"How did you know!" She asked.
"We've been planning this thing for weeks. Darius sent me and the band out here. Your show is tonight."
"Tonight?" Jude asked. "Why didn't anybody tell me!"
"Because we wanted to surprise you" Tommy said.
"So I guess you're not mad at me anymore?" Jude asked.
"Just keep your clothes on" Tommy said. Jude smiled and took his hand, leading him to the couch. Tommy's eyes roamed the dorm. He's never seen it before. Well, he'd never seen the campus either.
"So are you up for it?" George asked. Jude looked at Tommy, who was begging her with his eyes to say yes. She smiled.
"Yep. I'm up for it." Jude replied. George smiled .
"Good. It's tonight at 8:30. Have your song list made up, give it to your producer here so he can get it to your band."
"Will do. Thank you so much sir, I won't let you down" Jude said. George nodded and left the dorm.
"So this is where you live..." Tommy said, still eyeing the place.
"Yep."
Tommy placed his arm around Jude. She rested her head on his shoulder. Soon their peace was interrupted when Beth came out of the room screaming.
"JUDE! THERE'S A ROACH IN MY ROOM!" Beth yelled.
"And?" Jude asked
"YOUR THE ONLY ONE WHO EATS JUNK FOOD! GET IT OUT!" Beth ordered. She was eyeing Tommy and sending him flirty looks, but he didn't like it. Jude sighed and got up to go kill the roach, but Tommy stopped her.
"It's your room, you kill it." Tommy said.
"I'm not touching that thing" Beth replied
"Well then, your room is it's room"
"She's gonna kill it" Beth demanded
"No, she isn't. And if you mess with my girl ever again, you're gonna find a whole room full of roaches. Got that?" Tommy hissed
"Psh, like I believe that"
"Really? Then what's that?" Tommy pointed to the ground and there was the same roach crawling toward Beth's feet. She squealed and jumped onto the counter. Tommy laughed and led Jude toward the door.
"Have fun with that!" Tommy said "Nice meeting you"
They got outside and Jude began laughing.
"I don't think that's ever happened to her" Jude said
"Why do you take that crap?" Tommy didn't think this was funny.
"It's easier than arguing."
"You've become her slave."
"Nah, I'm hardly ever there anyway." Jude started walking toward her next class.
"I have theory next..." Jude said "You can wait here if you want..or in the library."
"Actually, go ahead and write down the songs you wanna play tonight, I have to get back to the hotel and give it to the band anyway. We have to set up in the theatre too. Be there at 3"
"Will do, Quincy"
"love you" Tommy kissed her lightly, and waited for her to say it back. This was the first time he's ever said that to her, and it made him scared to think of all the possible things she could say back.
"Yeah..you too" Jude smiled sweetly at him and walked away. Somehow, he wasn't satisfied with just "you too", but he took it anyway and went back to the band.
Jude took her seat next to Vince and started to freak out.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Ok...well...here's the thing" Jude explained "I'm performing tonight in the theatre"
"yeah...I knew that..." Vince said. "and?"
"Wait, how'd you know?"
"There's been posters all around school for weeks. It was in the Berklee newsletter too..."
"Well who reads the newsletter!" Jude asked. Vince smiled and pointed around the classroom, where some students had the newsletter folded on their desk.
"They get it by email too" Vince said.
"I didn't get it by email"
"You didn't sign up for it"
"Oh..right...But I didn't see any posters either!"
"Well they're everywhere. Even on the classroom door" Vince said. Jude shook her head and stood up, walking to the door. Sure enough, there was a small sign on the classroom door saying "Jude Harrison, Live, Berklee Theatre" and other information about tonight.
"Thanks for telling me!"
"I think it's great" Vince said "You really deserve to go down in this school's history."
"Thanks" Jude said. She sat down next to Vince again and pulled out her notebook, the class had begun.
"Oh yeah.." Vince leaned in to whisper "Has Tom called back?"
"He came to my dorm..." She said "He's here for tonight"
"That's good..."
"Yep..."
Finally, class was over, and Jude had to be at the theatre at 3. It was only 2. She had a whole hour to herself, so she went to the cafeteria. She got her food, just a ham sandwhich, and started to walk over to an empty table.
"Fine, just walk right past me" Tommy joked. Jude turned and sat across from him on the bench.
"Didn't see you" she said.
"Sure you didn't. You think you're too good to share the lunch table with me" He said like a 5th grader.
"Well, if you weren't such a dork..."
"Jude! Jude!" Rena called, running toward Jude and Tommy.
"Hey Rena" Jude greeted. Rena sat next to Jude and started to play with Jude's hair.
"Tonight! You're performing tonight!" Rena yelped.
"You knew too!"
"Yeah, the whole school knows. That place is gonna be packed tonight. Who's this hottie?" Rena asked, looking at Tommy. It didn't take her long to realize who it was. "Oh my god, it's little Tommy Q!"
"Tommy..." he corrected.
"Sorry." She replied.
"Tommy this is Rena, one of the very few friends I have here"
"Oh, good, you're a friend. The last chick I met was an enemy" Tommy said.
"Boy, I don't think she's a chick. I think she's an alien..or a zombie. Her eyes are all sunken in and her hair is sooo dyed. Did you notice her roots growing back in?"
"Okay Rena, kill her if you must" Jude said
"I will" Rena replied smartly "We should go get you some new clothes for tonight"
"Nah, I'm okay with what I have"
"But...tonight is special"
"I don't have enough time, I have to rehearse from 3-6."
"And it doesn't start till 8"
"Yeah but...Tommy's only here for today and part of tomorrow, he has to get back to work"
"Fine... I'll let you have her just cause you're so cute" Rena said to Tommy.
"I feel so privelaged" He said sarcastically.
"oh! Can I bring Greg to your little gig tonight?" Rena asked
"I thought Greg would be going with Vince..."
"Greg asked me out the other night. Ya know, for coffee, that stuff"
"So you and Greg are together now?"
"No, not like, my boyfriend or anything. We've been on a few dates, hasn't gotten real serious. I don't think he's ever kissed a girl before. Plus he's watched too many movies. He keeps opening doors for me and tellin me how pretty I am, especially in my skirts"
"Oh no, not movies. Just his way of getting in your pants."
"Well he hasn't been gettin any"
"I think we should be getting back to the theatre" Tommy cut in, utterly disgusted with the conversation right now.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, see you later Rena. You ARE comin to the show, right? Greg or no Greg?"
"Hell yeah!" Rena said. "Wouldn't miss it. Knock em dead"
Jude stuck her tongue out at Rena and followed Tommy to the theatre. He pulled her in the direction of the stage and told her to get on. She did, and Tommy took his place below the stage, looking at the setting and how she looked up there.
"Oh my god...I'm on the Berklee stage" Jude said. She started trembling with excitement.
"Ok! Song one, here we go" Tommy said. He sat in a seat and watched as the band played.
"Why are you even here if you're not working, Tom?" Kwest asked, looking up from the switchboard.
"Wouldn't miss seeing her up there"
"Well could you at least help me here right now, and during the show you can gawk at her?"
"Fine" Tommy got up to help Kwest. He made the sound pour out of the speakers, and added a slight echo to Jude's microphone. She loved it when there was echo during her concerts. She set her guitar aside for now, she didn't need it for this song. The band took care of the rest of the music. She belted out notes and took over the stage, making it her home.
"Woah...save some enthusiasm for tonight!" Kwest laughed.
"Sorry...I just...I can't believe I'm actually on this stage!" Jude kicked her foot and grinned widely. She put her arms in the air and twirled around. "I love it here"
"This isn't your last time up here, I'm sure" Tommy said
"We don't know that"
After rehearsal was done and George approved, Tommy took Jude out for dinner before the show. He picked a small restaraunt who was doing slow business tonight. They only had about an hour and a half left before the show, they needed to hurry up with dinner as fast as they could. Jude took a seat across from Tommy. The waitress walked up and asked them what they wanted. Jude picked just a salad, Tommy asked for a burger.
"Why so light?" He asked.
"I want to keep up energy for tonight, a bloated stomach is not fun to have"
"True."
The food was served and they had a nice time. Tommy had reached under the table and took her hand. She jumped at first, she wasn't expecting him to do that, but calmed down a little and kept eating. Something about this was just making her so nervous. She wasn't sure why. She let go of his hand, pretending to swipe away her hair, then placed her hand on the table, smiling at Tommy. He raised his eyebrow and continued to eat. They were finally done, and Tommy took her back to the theatre. They started backstage to see Vince standing there.
"Vince!" Jude laughed and gave him a hug. "You're here? Shouldn't you be in the audience?"
"Yeah yeah, I will be, I just wanted to wish you luck"
"Thanks..I'm gonna need it."
"No you won't" Tommy said, placing an arm around her.
"I am so nervous...this place is huge. What if they don't like me? Why can't I calm down! It's not like I've never done concerts before!"
"I believe in you" Vince said, taking Jude's hands in his own. Tommy eyed their entwined fingers and then to Jude's face.
"Dammit!" Tommy cursed, removing his arm from her shoulder.
"Tommy...what is it?" Jude asked, letting go of Vince's hands.
"I can't do this anymore, Jude"
"Do what?"
"You don't love me"
"What are you talking about?" Jude asked, getting worried
"I'm not what you are, Jude. We're awesome as partners in music but... we aren't it"
"Tommy, don't do this" Jude begged
"Funny, I've been beggin YOU don't do this since the day we got together"
"I'm not the one who's..."
"Jude, I see the way you look at Vince! I know how you feel"
"But Tommy..."
"Dude, she likes you more" Vince said
"More? So she has SOME feelings for you? That's great to know" Tommy's eyes were furious
"It's not like that, man"
"Really? Cause thats how it looks to me. Come on, Beethoven, enlighten me" Tommy said, getting closer to Vince's face to intimidate him.
"I don't know if she loves you... and I know I may love her... but she chose you. You know it"
"She chose me because she thought I was what she wanted"
"You are!" Jude defended. Her fingers were fiddling with the buttons on her coat.
"Yeah right. That's why all your songs are about him now. That's why whenever you look at me, or kiss me, it's not the same as it was in the beginning. That's why you look right through me, and see him. You run to him now with your problems. What am I to you, Jude? Huh?"
"Tommy..." Jude's eyes were swelling with tears. They couldn't contain themselves any longer, and the tears fell. Tommy shook his head and looked away.
"Tommy you're right.."Jude continued. Her stomach was churning and she felt sick. "..I...I thought I loved you. And don't get me wrong, I do. I love you Tommy, but not in the way that I hoped I would. I love you like nothing else, like the person I know I can turn to for anything." Jude looked at Tommy straight in the eyes, and she could see his eyes sparkling with tears as well. She knew his heart was breaking, because he loved her in a whole other way, but he couldn't let that show anymore.
"Say something" Jude begged. Tommy got a fake smile on his face and placed his hand on her cheek.
"Go get em, girl" Tommy started to walk away but Jude ran up to him and embraced him from behind.
"Thank you Tommy...so much" She wept. He tensed, and couldn't find the words to say anything. He just kept walking, feeling her fingers slip away from his body. She gathered up her strength and walked toward the stage. Vince stopped her and looked at her, making sure she was okay. She nodded, and he pulled her toward him, giving her a light hug. She let her head rest on his chest for a minute, trying to stop her tears from flowing. "Tommy's gone..." she whispered. Vince kissed the top of her head and rubbed the spot where he kissed.
"what does that mean you and I are?" Vince asked. Jude winced and stepped away from him, looking into his eyes. She took a long time to consider this. Finally she came to her conclusion.
"Guess we shouldn't let Tommy down..." Jude shrugged, smiling only a little bit. Vince took her in his arms once again but picked her up off the ground this time, swinging her around. Their lips met as he kissed her passionately, and this time it felt right for both of them. Vince was overwhelmed with joy. Jude was happy on the inside, but she didn't show it because she was also sad about the whole thing with Tommy. She pulled away from Vince and took her guitar.
"And now...Jude Harrison!" The announcer yelled. Jude wiped her face to hide the fact she'd been crying. She walked on stage, guitar in hand, with a huge smile on her face. The crowd roared and clapped their hands. The band started, but Jude stopped them.
"New plan" She instructed. "I got this song covered."
The band understood and stopped playing, allowing her to take the stage solo.
"I wrote this the other day...trying to get things out of my head. I was confused. But I'm not confused anymore, so I hope you all like this song..." Jude took a deep breath and started strumming her guitar.
"You understand me better
than I ever knew you would
But I'm so afraid to open up
I don't know if I should
My eyes have never met yours
but everything I see is true
And yet I long for you
It's a fantasy
you really loved me
but we're cut apart" Jude skimmed the crowd. Her eyes fell on Tommy in the back, who was smiling sweetly at her. He noticed her gaze on him so he waved at her. Her heart sunk and she sang with more emotion this time.
"Except it's only one way
I don't feel the same things
I'm just half in love with you" It was then that Tommy realized the song was about him. She wrote about something before it even happened. Deep inside, she knew this would happen. She just kept denying it. Still, Tommy kept the fake smile on his face, holding back tears that he'd refuse to shed. He wanted to run away. He wanted to get out of here. His legs wouldn't budge. He knew Jude wanted him to hear her.
"and you can't see me
So we won't make it through
I wish we could have worked out
We'd slam the whole world down
we've fallen under
and drowning down in a pool of emotions
I'm a wave you can't see
like an ocean, I'm free
and I'm only half in love
So why can't you breath?
I'm feeling confident today
you never told me a lie
And I'm only half in love
So why do I cry?" Jude looked away from Tommy once the song ended. He didn't leave. He didn't run away. Jude knew that Tommy genuinely cared now. She knew that he wasn't going to ask Darius to stop producing her when she got back home. She knew that he'd stick by her, even though she's the one who hurt him this time. She waved at all her fans and her focus was now on Vince, who was in the crowd screaming her name. She smiled at him. He saw in her eyes that she wasn't afraid anymore. This time he knew that everything would be okay. Jude could finally be happy with one choice she made, no matter how she felt about it at first. She hated hurting Tommy. She knew she loved him and Vince knew that, too. Then Jude realized, that like everything, there was a time to be in love, and a time to say goodbye.
A/N: Takes a bow Thank you thank you. Hope you all enjoyed and continue reviewing! I'll hopefully have a new story out soon but I donno, I can't think of anything. see ya!