Author's Note: Here it is guys and this time I'm dedicating it to all of you. Disclaimer: I'm so bad at remembering to do this, but I do not own Instant Star or its characters—just my own messed up story lines (laugh out loud). Lots of love to you all. Smiles. Angel422.
The tour bus stood waiting as I approached it almost warily. When had I ever been nervous about a tour before?
"I hope you're prepared for more silly string." Spied remarked suddenly from behind me as I turned toward him with a laugh just as a large spray of the gummy stuff covered my head. Leave it to Spiederman to lighten the mood.
"I'm suddenly considering following this bus in my Viper." Tommy stated on a wince as he approached before ducking to miss the sticky residue I was now pulling off of my head before chunking it towards the ground. I just laughed.
"And put all those miles out on it? I could see you surviving a heart attack better." I replied as he shrugged before placing a pair of black sunglasses over his eyes. I was still wondering why he had decided to come—still plain confused about everything.
"Did anyone remember to bring boxes of Cheez-it crackers because I can't live without the stuff?" Wally stated on a groan as he lugged a large duffel bag behind him while grunting. Kyle kicked at it as he walked by only to have Wally trip him. I couldn't help but smile at the sight as Tommy threw me a look. I just shrugged at him with a grin. The boys were a force to be reckoned with, but you didn't mess with karma. Kwest sidled up next to Tom before handing him something that looked suspiciously like a beeper. What the hell?
"What's that for?" I asked curiously as Tommy peeked over the edge of his sunglasses at me pointedly. I could tell that he was about to unload something he wasn't sure I'd take well just from the wary raise of his brow.
"Darius isn't happy about all of the delays. We should have already been on the market promoting ideas for a fourth album, but instead we're just now getting out on tour. I'm being sent to help you begin work on your fourth." Tommy commented mildly as my heart plummeted to my toes.
"Are you telling me that you didn't choose to come on this tour? What about this 'I don't have to come if you don't want me to' crap you spooned to me?" I asked almost in a whisper as I looked over my shoulder at the humming bus. It was beginning to look more and more like a prison. Tom just shrugged.
"I didn't lie to you, Jude. I want to be here as your mediator, but if you hadn't wanted me to come, Darius would have and could have sent Kwest instead." Tommy explained as I just shook my head slowly. Even that explanation didn't ease the pain as much as I had hoped. He hadn't chosen to come. If my fourth album didn't need to go into production soon, would he have even made the effort to come? Would he? And after I had already said goodbye to Chris. After I had already made the decision to let him go. Yeah, my heart froze.
"Did anyone bring a razor?" I called out over my shoulder sweetly as I turned away from Tom to walk toward the bus. I suddenly felt the need to shave off every strand of Tommy's perfectly styled hair. The guys just threw me a wary look before placing their hands protectively over their heads as they climbed aboard the monstrosity. This tour bus was much more elite—much more sophisticated and better outfitted than our other one had been, and I was duly impressed. Now, if I could just put more distance between Tommy and I—maybe a couple hundred miles or so, but, nope, he was traveling the long road with me with all of its certain ups and downs. Life was so cruel sometimes. How many times could you break a heart before it couldn't be fixed anymore?
"I would have come anyway." Tom whispered suddenly from behind me as I started up the stairs. I stopped before looking down at him uncertainly.
"Would you have?" I asked him quietly as he stepped up almost to the point that we were face to face. He looked up into my eyes without flinching.
"Would you believe me if I said yes?" Tommy asked in return as I blinked down at him wearily before shaking my head.
"No, it's up to you now to prove it." I muttered in a low tone before turning to board the bus. The door closed behind Tom with finality as we pulled away from the curb. Just the beginning to a tour that would change life itself.