Thanks for reading and reviewing!!! Again, I realize things are moving at a snails pace, but, again, this just a build up of what I hope this story becomes.
Enjoy!!!
Quick flashback, of course in italics...
Breathe Me In
Annabelle was putting the finishing touches on the song she was working on while waiting for Collins to get out of her Communicable Diseases class. She was waiting at the table that was directly located outside the Health Sciences building, looking up every once in awhile to take notice of the students milling by on their way out to their cars or to the sidewalks to clog along the cement to their next class.
Annabelle had been writing more lately, considering the feelings she has been trying so hard to repress to the outside world, she feels that this is her catharsis, the one way she can get out her emotions without feeling like she would internally combust. She had been accepted wholeheartedly by Jason and the band and was feeling more and more confident about playing her own songs for the group and hoping that she would be able to find a few songs to fit their style that they would let a song or two into their set. She had so many songs from over the years, that she figured there had to be a few that they thought would be worth hearing out loud.
"Hey Annabelle, how long have you been waiting"? Collins said while setting her bag on the table top and taking a seat on the opposite side of Annabelle.
"Not long, just long enough to finish up some new lyrics I have been working on" Annabelle stated while looking down at her composition book.
"Can I read it"? Collins asked.
"Um, not yet, not quite sure if I am totally finished with it, it is pretty rough around the edges still" Annabelle said hesitantly.
"Okay, but you better let me check it out when you're done, or , well, I know all of your secret hiding places so I am sure I will find it eventually" Collins said teasingly.
"Of course I will let you read it Sherlock, just not now. Now let's go to the Union, I am craving something sweet" Annabelle replied all in one breath.
"Something sweet huh, does that have anything to do with a certain blonde professor of ours" Collins said with a smirk.
Annabelle just rolled her eyes at Collins remark, trying her best not to allow the blush that was slowly creeping up on her cheeks become noticeable and put her composition book back into her back and stood up to make her way to the Union and said, "Come on, you know I get cranky when I haven't had my sugar fix for the afternoon"!
"Alright, I'm coming, wait up"! Collins shouted as Annabelle was already half way across the crosswalk leading to the stairs to take them to the Union.
Annabelle had grabbed a banana nut muffin and a flavored water to squelch her need for a little sugar rush to get her through her last class of the day. Collins settled for a bag of chips and a diet soda.
"Are you going over to Jason's tonight" Collins asked hopefully.
"Yeah, he said they want to talk to me about something and of course they were going to just be hanging out, maybe play some tunes or something, you want to come with me"? Annabelle replied.
"I would love to but my parents are coming in for 'parent/family' weekend and they are getting in later tonight" Collins stated.
"Oh, yeah, I totally forgot about that. Um, would it be okay if I came by and said hi sometime this weekend"? Annabelle asked nervously.
" I think they would love to see you" Collins stated in a confident tone.
"I would love to see them too. You know I will be forever grateful to you and your parents right"? Annabelle replied.
"Annabelle, they are just glad that you got help and look at you now, really, I have told them pretty much all that has been going on this semester with your classes and your music and they are just so proud of you" Collins said in a tone that let Annabelle know that she was still considered one of the family.
"Really? I am, I don't know what to say, um, that makes me-".. Annabelle trailed off putting her head down not wanting Collins to see her sudden change in emotion.
"They love you like their own daughter, I have told you that many times. I know that you are not used to that kind of attention from your mom, but, just know, they will always be there for you, and, um me too" Collins said in a comforting tone while placing her hand gently over Annabelle's.
"Thanks Collins, that means a lot to hear you say that, its just that, well, now that you bring up my mom, um, that is one thing I think I really have to just get over and, well, take the first step toward some kind of reconciliation with her" Annabelle stated sadly.
"I know, just do it your own time, you don't have to have everything fixed all at once. I am very proud of how far you have come since last year, and I would hope somewhere deep down, your mom is proud of you too, even though she may not outwardly show it" Collins replied.
"Well, I know it's a little more than a month away, but I am going to try and straighten things out between her and I over Christmas break. I think its time I tried, my group counselor thinks that is the one thing that is really hanging over my head, that I just can't seem to let go" Annabelle stated with a big sigh while rubbing her neck.
"I think that is great Annabelle, and again, if you need me during that time, for anything, I will be there, my parents will be there no matter what" Collins stated in a caring tone.
"Thanks, I appreciate that" Annabelle replied trying to regain some sort of composure before the bell started chiming to let her know that her last class was waiting for her.
"Okay, get to class, I will call you later and see how everything went over at Jason's and let you know what we are doing tomorrow so you can hopefully meet up with us sometime" Collins said as she began collecting her things to head back to the parking lot and drive back to her apartment.
"Okay, be careful, tell your parents hi for me and I am looking forward to seeing them" Annabelle said as she threw her bag over her shoulder and began to make her way out of the Union and to her Music Appreciation class.
"Hey, come on in"! Jason exclaimed when he opened his front door to see a casual looking Annabelle on the other side.
"Hi, thanks"! Annabelle replied.
"Make yourself at home, I have one last load of laundry to put in and the guys should be here shortly to get the party started" Jason said while chuckling.
"Okay, I will just head downstairs and tinker a bit, I have been working on some new lyrics so." Annabelle replied as she began the descent down to the basement, again passing the many pictures that contained the one person that she thought she could never get tired of looking at, in a picture or otherwise.
"Dad, do I really have to sit on that"? Simone questioned her father as he was pointing to the rock that was sloping a bit downward toward the sand below.
"Yes, Simone, I am trying to get the white caps behind you as well as the shadow from the setting sun" Charles Bradley stated to his nineteen year old daughter as she fidgeted on the slick rocks that were located between the main beach area and the tides of the Versilia Beach area near Tuscany. This was the Bradley's summer ritual after Charles returned from Italy with a new found love of the area after his trip to the Vatican to capture the first sightings of the new Pope John Paul II.
Simone's hair was blowing with just the right amount of breeze coming from the Mediterranean. She had that glint in her eye, one in which she portrayed herself as blossoming into a confident woman. Her skin was a light bronze color due to their holiday excursion to the local wineries and her smile was so bright, the sun that shone behind her paled in comparison.
"Okay, hold still, now smile" Simone's father stated in a professional tone, trying as always to capture the perfect picture, the perfect emotion.
"Perfect" Charles Bradley exclaimed after the clicking of his camera had stopped.
*************************************************************************
Annabelle was looking over her new lyrics, adjusting her guitar on her leg so she could play as well as look down at the words so she could find the right melody. She began to strum a slow rhythm, trying to find the right timing as she began to quietly sing the words that were scribbled within the lines of her composition book pages.
You came out of nowhere and our eyes collide Oh won't you breathe me in We're miles from home, we're one another's
tribe Won't you breathe me in Let
it out; let it go ok to breathe. Won't you breathe me in
Like a
wall collapsing a crushing tide
I saw you laughing I saw your
smile
It made me anxious, it made me high.
You ask I answer no,
that seats been removed
You're a deep-rooted tree, an artist's
muse
I watch you listen I watch you share
You make me want
more
and you make me scared
You're so much more than I'd
ever hoped
So I am
whole
An autumn season in a summer's time
I've watched you
circle and I've watched you fall
You make me feel what I thought
I could
never feel at all.
You're so much more than I'd
ever hoped.
So I am whole
Let it out; let it go ok to
bleed
You are so much more than I'd ever
So much more than
I'd ever
Let it out; let it go ok to breathe.
Let it out; let
it go ok
You are so much more than I'd ever
So much more than
I'd ever hoped
"That sounded great" A shaky voice sounded behind Annabelle.
Annabelle turned around only to be met by those blue eyes. The eyes that made her understand what it meant when people described someone as having ocean blue eyes. Just like the picture her father took that captured that deep blue color, they were even deeper in person.
"Um, thanks, I was just messing around with some lyrics" Annabelle said while she looked down forcing herself to look away before she became lost in those pools of blue.
"Well, for messing around, I think you really have something there, your words, are um, very intense and emotional" Simone said trying to pay Annabelle a compliment without letting her know how deeply those words were affecting her.
"Simone, can I ask you something"? Annabelle said quietly.
"Sure" Simone said in an unsure tone.
"Are you hanging out with us tonight, I mean, I guess I am confused as to why I keep running into you here" Annabelle said trying not to sound too anxious.
Simone started to giggle a little at Annabelle's comment when she said, "Oh, um, I wasn't planning on staying, however, I usually stay here on weekends just to get away from campus and relax. I keep an apartment close to campus so I don't have to drive so far during the week, but this, this is my house, well our family's house, but Jason stays here full time all year while I don't stay full time until school breaks for holidays and summer".
"Oh, well, um, where are your parents if you don't mind me asking"? Annabelle stated curiously.
"I would love to stay and chat with you, but I think that is a story for another time. I am meeting some friends for dinner soon, so, um, maybe the next time you're over, I will bore you with our family's story" Simone said trying to lighten the mood, but her voice had a twinge of disappointment knowing she had to leave.
"Oh, okay, um, next time" Annabelle said in a solemn tone while she looked back down at her lyrics then stood up to place her guitar next to the couch.
Simone looked at Annabelle's demeanor, lightly stroked her arm and said, " I have enjoyed getting to know you this semester, and I am glad I am able to see your talents up close and personal. My brother has been raving about you since that first night you played with them. I am looking forward to being in that audience during your first show". Simone noticed that Annabelle was not really saying anything and just took her silence as a cue to leave.
Annabelle just stared at Simone, taking in her words coming from her silky voice, her arm was on fire at Simone's gentle touch, when she noticed a cold feeling now overcoming her arm, she let go of the breath she had been holding as she saw the back view of Simone's body climbing up the stairs and said "Goodnight Simone".
Simone grabbed the stair rail, turned around and said, "Goodnight Annabelle" then continued her ascent up the stairs, out through the kitchen, out the door, into the night, and out of Annabelle's sight.
"Breathe Me In" is by Candlebox
Well, Annabelle is slowly chinking away at Simone's armor. But I don't think there is going to be smooth sailing for the girls anytime soon, but I hope you find the ride worth it!
Peace and love to all!!!