Chapter 11: Say something
"Annabelle that was great, can we do it one more time?" Jack said into the mike.
"yeah" Annabelle sighed. "one more time" she had sung the song 2 different times, and she still had 3 more to record. Annabelle heard the music around her waited for the right beat and started singing.
"Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere, I would have followed you
Oh, oh, oh, oh say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something…"
"perfect" Jack's voice rang out "we got it" Annabelle looked up and saw the smile on his face. Looking at the blonde sitting next to him who also had a smile on her face. Annabelle just smiled a halfhearted smile. She was stressed out. "Annabelle why don't you take a break and then we'll start the other song"
"yeah" Annabelle said rubbing her throat
"are you ok" Simone asked coming through the door, with a concerned look on her face.
"I'm fine" Annabelle said
"good, we have 3 more to do" Simone said handing her a bottle of water, and smiled. "guh" Annabelle sighed. "can I go smoke?"
"let's go" Simone said nodding towards the door. Putting her hand in Annabelle's as they walked down the hall that led them to the back door. "I'm proud of you, you know"
"I know" Annabelle said lighting her cigarette, offering Simone her pack. She took one putting it to her mouth Annabelle lit it for her. "you owe me 7 hours of sex" she leaned in to whisper.
"I'll give you more than that" Simone said teasing. Annabelle looked at her, the look on her face said she wasn't teasing.
"how do you still do that to me"
"what" Simone asked taking a drag and letting it out slowly. She was beginning to smoke more often. But no more than one or two a day.
"you, you... oh never mind" a flustered Annabelle said pulling her wife and manager closer.
"you're adorable when you're flustered" Simone said kissing her. "and I know what you're saying. You do the same thing to me"
Annabelle just smiled, finishing her smoke, and taking a drink of her water. "ready?" she asked with a sigh.
Simone nodded, extinguishing her cigarette, following her wife back into the building.
"good your back I want to go over the next song. What was the name of it again?" Jack asked.
"what if I was nothing" Annabelle said in a quiet tone.
"alright" He nodded for Annabelle to return to the room where she was before, singing into the mike.
"Just let it go, don't want to argue anymore
I can't be sure I know just what we're fighting for
I know you're scared and that you're thinking I may go
I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving
And if you're thinking I might, might be lead astray
Just remember this one question
What if I was nothing? What if this is true?
What if I was nothing, girl, nothing without you
So what if I was angry, what did you think I'd do?
I told you that I love you, girl, I'm nothing without you
I know it's hard, it seems we've worked at this so long
It's often foolish pride that tells us we're not wrong
I hear your voice, you tell me that you'll never go
And I believe it, I believe it.
And if you're thinking I might, might be lead astray
Just remember this one question
What if I was nothing? What if this is true?
What if I was nothing, girl, nothing without you
So what if I was angry, what did you think I'd do?
I told you that I love you, girl, I'm nothing without you
And we can keep this going on, we'll make it work some way
And every step, it makes us stronger every day
And if you're thinking I might, might be lead astray
Just remember this one question
What if I was nothing? What if this is true?
What if I was nothing, girl, nothing without you
So what if I was angry, what did you think I'd do?
I told you that I love you, girl, I'm nothing without you
What if I was nothing? What if this is true?
What if I was nothing, girl, nothing without you
So what if I was angry, what did you think I'd do?
I told you that I love you, girl, I'm nothing without you
."
"perfect" Jack said his face showing a smile. "just perfect Annabelle"
"good" Annabelle said returning the smile. She saw Simone whisper something to him, then stand and walk into the room.
"you ready?" she asked grabbing the other stool and placing it next to Annabelle.
"yes" Annabelle said with a smile "which one we doing first?"
"when I said I do" Simone said smiling and nodding to Jack to start the music.
These times are troubled and these times are good
And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall
We take 'em all the way that we should
Together you and me forsaking them all
Deep in the night and by the light of day
It always looks the same, true love always does
And here by your side, or a million miles away
Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel,
The way it is, is the way that it was
When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time
Be faithful and true, devoted to you
That's what I had in mind when I said I do
Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same
For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand
Only you and I can undo all that we became
That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man
And after everything that comes and goes around
Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams
I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found
But forever you and I will be the ones
Who found out what forever means
When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time
Be faithful and true, devoted to you
That's what I had in mind when I said I do
Be truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you,
That's what I had in mind,
That's what I had in mind,
When I said I do.
"oh my god, you guys, that was simply amazing" Jack said once the music was done. "I think we got it on the first take" he added smiling.
Simone and Annabelle just smiled, their eyes were still locked on each other. The words of the song still touching their hearts.
"didn't you say you had another one?" Jack asked
"yeah" Simone said still not looking away from Annabelle.
"hello" Jack said
"sorry" Annabelle said shaking her head. Finally breaking the staring contest.
"yes we do have another song. Do you want to go over it or just go with it?"
"just go with it, the way the last one sounded I'm sure it'll come out perfect." Jack said
"ok" Jack cued the music, as it filled the room. Simone started singing. As Annabelle smiled at her. They had talked about her being the main focus on this song, but Annabelle didn't think she'd actually do it.
Dancing in the dark
Middle of the night
Taking your heart
And holding it tight
Emotional touch
Touching my skin
And askin' you to do
What you've been doing
All over again
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I've just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By taking your hand
And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever, I'm happy and free
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
And if you ask me why I've changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I've just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
It's your love
It's your love
Annabelle took over on the chorus. But let Simone do the rest.
"guys that was" Jack paused for a second "that was simply amazing. You two are perfect together"
"thanks" Simone said shyly
"are you planning on writing anymore?"
Annabelle shrugged looking at Simone who said "I don't know; I don't know if I can handle being up on stage in front of a bunch of people singing."
"oh that reminds me" Jack said pressing some buttons. "can I see you in my office?"
"yeah" Simone said looking at Annabelle confused. As they got off their stools and headed out of the room.
"wonder what he wants" Annabelle asked a still confused Simone. As they walked down the hall.
"ok, have a seat" Jack said pointing to the chairs, as he shuffled some papers around his desk looking for the right one. "alright here we go" he said handing Simone a copy.
"this says they want her to go on tour" Simone said with a smile.
"yes" Jack said with a smile. "you'll leave on the 6th and be gone for 2 months"
"good thing you're my manager so we won't be apart" Annabelle said looking over Simone's shoulder. Simone just kissed her cheek. "oh look we'll be gone for your birthday" Annabelle added, seeing they had a concert on June 22nd."
"you'll play in 45 different cities, starting here in LA ending in Minneapolis, Minnesota"
"why Minneapolis?" Annabelle asked.
"that's where the tour ends"
"hey look at that" Simone said replying to Annabelle's comment about her birthday "and hey at least it'll still be warm" Simone said letting out a slight laugh
"it's inside there, so no matter what you'll be good" Jack said smiling. "alright, I need some signatures from you" he said to Annabelle "and then you're good to go"
"you don't need her for anything more with the music?" Simone asked
"nope, we got it from here" Jack said standing. "I'll do the editing myself and if I do need you for anything I'll call"
"sounds good" Annabelle said standing to shake Jack's hand.
"I'll call you next week for sure and let you know the rest of the details" he said shaking Simone's hand.
"sounds good" Simone said placing her hand on Annabelle's back as they left the office, heading back towards the recording room to get her guitar. "god forbid we forget that thing" Simone said giggling.
"shut up" Annabelle elbowed her in the ribs.
"just remembering the night at the beach house when you through a fit cause we forgot it"
"I didn't throw a fit" Annabelle said pouting.
"oh what would you call it then?"
"um," Annabelle said thinking "I um, fine it was a fit, I through a fit, you happy now" she said picking up her guitar. And walking back to the hall.
"have a good night guys" a voice called from the other end of the hall.
Simone turned around and instantly got irritated, seeing that women always got her irritated.
"bye Sammi" Annabelle said smiling, and waving.
"how do you know her anyway?" Simone asked Annabelle could hear the tone of her voice had a snarl in it.
"from my partying days"
"that's all you're going to say?"
"why does she bother you so much?" Annabelle asked as she pushed open the glass door and held it open for her wife to pass through.
"I'm not entirely sure" Simone said looking at Annabelle.
"ok" Annabelle said shaking her head "you think we were together at one time don't you?"
"were you?" Simone snapped.
"oh my god, we are not doing this" Annabelle said setting her guitar down so she could fetch the car keys out of her pocket.
"I just want to know how you two know each other that's all" Simone pleaded.
"Simone" Annabelle said walking over to her. Taking Simone's face in her hands. "baby, it doesn't matter how I know her. She is my past and you are my future, nothing matters to me but you"
"but" Simone started to say as Annabelle placed a soft kiss on her lips, and opened the car door for her.
"damn" Annabelle said to herself after shutting the door. "suppose I better tell her how I know Sammi" she said still talking to herself as she walked around the car, she got in, started it and pulled out of the parking lot. "do you want to call my mom and ask her what she wants to do for dinner?" Annabelle asked pulling up to a stop light.
"ok" Simone said pulling out her phone. This bought Annabelle sometime to think. She wasn't hiding anything from Simone, but she knew once Simone knew the truth about how she knew Sammi, it would all blow up in her face. "she said to just get something she's not hungry" Simone said setting her phone on her lap.
"ok, what would you like" Annabelle asked.
"I want to know how you know Sammi" Simone said again not letting go of the subject.
Annabelle sighed, "fine, lets pick something up and go to the beach house"
"why"
"because we are going to need to be alone for this" Annabelle said turning to her wife, giving her a half smile.
"so you did lie to me?"
"no I never lied"
"I asked if you two were together"
"no, I asked you if you thought we were together at one point, then I asked you if we were going to do this so therefore I never said yes or no"
Simone didn't say anything just got up from the table and gave Annabelle a fuck off look.
"Simone" Annabelle said trying to reason with her. She wanted none of it, and went out on the deck, slamming the door behind her. "fuck" Annabelle said slamming her hand on the table. She knew Simone wasn't going to take it well, but she didn't think she'd storm out. Annabelle took a deep breath, finally getting up from the table and getting rid of the remanence of their dinner. She went to the deck for a smoke. Seeing Simone sitting in the sand, she decided to try and talk to her. "hi" Annabelle said as she got close
Simone just looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you"
"how could you leave out something like that"
"I didn't think it mattered?" Annabelle protested
"well it does" Simone said looking out over the water again.
"why?" Annabelle asked.
"how would you feel, if Amanda wasn't dead, and all the sudden she showed up, as my bosses assistant"
"Simone" Annabelle said "I'm not in love with her anymore. I'm in love with you"
"and these are tainted" Simone said pulling off the beads, she was about to throw them into the water but Annabelle caught her
"don't please"
"why, she's the one who gave them to you"
"and you knew that when you took them 4 years ago" Annabelle said taking the beads in her hand.
Simone didn't say anything just looked out over the water.
"you knew the first person who I fell in love with gave them to me. It's no different than you wearing that necklace that was Amanda's"
"yes it is"
"how Simone? How is it different?" Annabelle said starting to raise her voice a little, but her throat was sore from singing earlier.
"Amanda is dead" Simone said standing up looking Annabelle in the eyes, and storming off.
"shit" Annabelle said sighing. And running after her wife. "Simone" she said catching up to her.
"leave me alone"
"I told you I wasn't going to leave you"
"leave. Me. Alone." Simone said stopping and looking Annabelle directly in the eyes, that were only lit by the moon.
"ok" Annabelle said stepping back as Simone headed down the beach. Annabelle stood there and watched her go. Not really knowing what to do. Should she go after her, or go back to the house, knowing eventually, she would return, she just stood there, watching the love of her life make her way down the beach away from her, she felt tears sting her eyes. Why did it matter that Sammi had been the one to give her those beads? Why did it matter that she was once involved with the woman, who was now helping her with her music career? Why did any of it matter, she was and always will be in love with Simone. Shaking her head, she pulled out her cigarettes, lit one, and sat down in the sand. She looked out over the water, she wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there, her cigarette had long since been gone, when she heard that soft voice.
"hi"
"hi" Annabelle said standing up.
"I" Simone stumbled over her words. "I'm sorry" she said after taking a deep breath, putting her head down.
"baby, there's no need to be sorry. I'm the one who's sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I guess I thought it didn't matter, because she knows I'm with you. She said herself she's never seen me so happily in love. I never looked at her the way I look at you. We didn't leave off on the best terms. She could have stayed here but she chose to go with her parents and leave me"
"don't" Simone said putting a figure on her lips. "I don't want to hear anymore"
"I love you"
"I love you too Annabelle, I'm sorry I flipped out about this"
"she's my past you are my future, Simone, you are everything I have ever wanted and more. I love you so much it killed me to watch you walk away like you did"
"why didn't you come after me?"
"the way you said leave me alone" Annabelle stopped looking at her beautiful wife standing in front of her. "the look in your eyes told me you needed time alone, to think"
"good call, you coming after me probably would have made it worse"
"pretty sad how well we know each other"
"they say soul mates have that intuition" Simone said smiling.
"guess that's true" Annabelle said grabbing her wife. And placing a kiss on her lips, which deepened. To Annabelle it told her Simone was truly sorry, and the love she had for her. Annabelle returned it, giving her the same expression.
"let's go to the house" Simone said pulling away and grabbing Annabelle's hand.
"ok" they walked in silence no more words were needed.
"do you want to stay here tonight" Simone asked as they got to the top of the deck.
"depends" Annabelle said
"on what?"
"where this leads us" Annabelle said grabbing her, placing her lips on Simone's as their tongues began to dance.
"I think we're staying here" Simone said pushing Annabelle through the door, and to the bedroom. Once inside, she began ripping Annabelle's clothes off. Not caring where they landed, when there wasn't any more she pushed Annabelle down on the bed. Never breaking contact, she strayed, away from Annabelle's lips, placing soft kisses all the way down her body, she felt Annabelle's muscles tense when she got to her stomach. Stopping to look at her, she kissed her belly button. Then began her descent lower, she ran her nose over the curly hair, taking a deep breath so she could savor the smell. Knowing what was waiting for her, the dripping wet center. She spread Annabelle's legs, and started her assault, on her clit. As Annabelle's breathing got heavier and she felt her muscles tighten, she stuck two fingers in. "mmm" she heard Annabelle moan. As she glided them in and out, keeping perfect rhythm with her tongue. She felt Annabelle stiffen one last time as she exploded around her. Simone didn't stop there, she withdrew her fingers and went on with her tongue. Sucking and licking, until Annabelle let out a cry of Simone's name. She then gave it one last kiss, and slid back up Annabelle's body to find her lips.
"mm, I love you" Annabelle said kissing her. Simone slid her tongue in Annabelle's mouth, she could taste herself on Simone's lips.
"I love you too" Simone said laying her head on Annabelle's chest.
"you know what I think?" Annabelle said once she came down for her high
"what's that"
"you. Are" Annabelle said flipping Simone over "wearing too many clothes, my love" as she started ripping them off. And began her sexual attack on her wife.
"god baby you are so amazing" Simone said after Annabelle was done, and had her head on Simone's chest.
"so are you my love, so are you!" Annabelle said leaning up to kiss her. As they fell into an exhausted sleep, wrapped in one another.