A few discussions dealing with Annabelle and her 'life' in this chapter. A little long, but a good start on the path of Simone and Annabelle getting to know each other a bit better. I hope….
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Drunk with the Thought of You
"So, are you glad that's over with"? Jason asked Annabelle as they all sat around the kitchen table after getting back from the show.
"Yeah, I was so nervous, I felt like I was going to throw up for a minute there" Annabelle replied with a big sigh.
"Well, you know, you could always just take a swig out of my "soda" before you get on stage, that always calms me down" Jason stated using 'air quotes' referring to his soda.
"Oh, so that's your secret. Thanks, but, um, I don't drink. I guess I will just have to get used to the whole vomit thing, you know, just keep a small trash can behind the stage" Annabelle said with a smirk.
"That's cool, really, I don't know many college kids that don't drink much less those who are into the music scene" Jason said with a shrug.
"Okay, so speaking of drinking, I could use a water, I think I left my voice box back at the coffeehouse" Annabelle said while hoping to change the subject quickly.
"Help yourself, you know, you have been over here enough to where, well, just make yourself at home. Basically, I am not waiting on you hand and foot anymore" Jason said with a big smile as he pointed to the fridge.
"Gee, thanks, love you too" Annabelle stated as she slapped Jason on the arm.
The guys were all chuckling at Annabelle's antics when Austin piped up and said, "Hey, since you're there, could you grab me a cold one"?
Pretty soon she heard that come from all the other guys to which Annabelle turned and said, "Don't think I am going to be your 'beer bitch' or anything else to that effect now"!
The guys all started to laugh out loud and were soon getting out dollar bills and began waving them at Annabelle teasing her when she brought them their beers.
Annabelle just sat down, twisted the cap off her water bottle, took a big swig, and let out an obnoxious 'ahhh' sound and rolled her eyes at her fellow band mates.
As the noise in the kitchen became more than a little roar, the door swung open and a stern looking Simone paused until she had everyone's attention, like any professor would do, and once all eyes were on her, she stated, "Could you please keep it down, some of us need our beauty sleep"!
"Sorry Simone, we were just breaking in our newest band member, you know, just showing her the ropes" Jason said as he put one arm around Annabelle and gave her a quick squeeze.
"Yeah, they all think that I have turned into some sort of waitress all of a sudden" Annabelle said in a sarcastic tone.
Simone just rolled her eyes as she made her way over to the refrigerator to get her own bottle of water. She stood there for a minute just taking in all the chatter and snickering that was going on when she heard Austin say, "Hey Annabelle, did you see that guy at the table by the right side of the stage checking you out all night"?
"Oh my god, yes, every time I looked in that direction, he was, well, just staring, didn't seem like he was really listening to the music" Annabelle said while she shivered at the thought.
"He is a regular at our shows, you know I could introduce you to him" Jason said while wiggling his eyebrows.
"Uh, that's alright, I think I will pass on that one, he was kind of creeping me out actually" Annabelle replied.
"Not your type huh, you don't go for the leering, sexually repressed, probably still lives at home type" Jason said while laughing at his own remarks.
"Don't make fun of the poor guy Jas, I am sure you know all about that type" Annabelle responded getting the other guys to snort and snicker at their lead singer.
Pretty soon Simone was heard chuckling as well, and then she said, "Alright you guys, again, please keep it to a low roar, goodnight"!
"Goodnight Simone"! They all said in unison.
The snickering died down when Annabelle heard Austin quietly say, "So Annabelle, what exactly is your type"?
"Well, let's see, nothing like the guy at the show, and really no one in HIS category either" Annabelle said emphasizing the word his.
"What does that mean" Austin asked looking confused.
"Well, let's just say my type and your type is probably pretty similar" Annabelle said while winking.
Austin sat for a moment contemplating what Annabelle said, and then a look came over his face like he just figured out the answer to the Final Jeopardy question that he just wagered all of his twenty-five thousand dollars on, and then said, "Oh, you dig chicks"?
"Yeah, something like that" Annabelle replied with a slight smile.
Jason just sat there, staring at Annabelle, while all the other guys were huddling closer in at the table to Annabelle, and of course Annabelle knew what was coming next.
"So, are you seeing anyone now, and, um, you know you can bring her around anytime and'…
Austin was cut off by Annabelle saying, "You guys are so predictable and perverted"!
"Hey, we are just letting you know it doesn't matter to us, we are just being supportive" Austin stated trying to sound sincere, but Annabelle wasn't buying it.
"Yeah, right, I am sure you wouldn't mind in the least bit if we started making out in front of you, you know, just to show us that you are supportive" Annabelle replied with a smirk and an eye roll as she noticed the drool now threatening to spill from her band mates mouths.
"Really, are you seeing anyone"? Austin said in a more controlled tone.
"No, it's been awhile, just kind of getting my stuff together so it feels good to just, be on my own" Annabelle said in a confident tone.
"Oh, so you and your friend Collins aren't"…
Annabelle interrupted Austin and said, "No, we are just best friends, have been since our junior year, really, she is the best friend anyone could ask for. Well, actually, I think she has a little crush on you mister guitar player".
As Annabelle's words sunk in with Austin, a slight grin appeared across his face.
"Well, don't tell her I said that, but, well, just don't tell her, please"? Annabelle asked pleadingly.
"Okay, we will try not let that one slip out, but I cant promise anything" Jason said with a smirk.
The guys went on bantering with Annabelle about how now they had more competition in getting chicks but that didn't bother Annabelle one bit, she held her own with her new band mates, who now have instantly turned into four big brothers as they all sat around the table teasing and joking with each other about everything.
Pretty soon, the laughter and chatter was dying down, when Annabelle looked up and noticed it was now three in the morning.
"Holy crap guys, it's three a.m., it's way past my bedtime and curfew for that matter" Annabelle said jokingly.
"This is nothing, we usually don't go to bed until sun up after a show because we are so wound up afterward" Jason responded.
"Well, I guess I am just going to have to make sure I take a nap before hand so I can keep up with you the next time, but, I am wiped out so I think I need to hit the road" Annabelle replied with a big yawn.
"Um, not tonight, you're not. One, we always crash here after a show, and two, I don't want to hear that you have crashed trying to drive that gorgeous car of yours into the freeway barrier because you were trying to sleep while driving" Jason said in a protective tone.
"I know, I know, no arguing right? Well, the bed I was in the other night is now occupied, so if I could just borrow a pillow and a blanket, I can crash on the couch downstairs" Annabelle said while standing and stretching.
"Again, no, you take my room, the couch downstairs pulls out, so me and Austin will take that and the other guys will take the guest room, you can take a shirt or whatever out of my top drawer to sleep in, but now that you have been warned about our rituals, you will be prepared the next time" Jason said while lightly shoving a tired Annabelle toward his room down the hall.
Not in the mood to argue anymore, Annabelle said, "Okay, but I am locking the door in case one of you get any funny ideas" Now smiling at the guys all shaking their heads, she finally said, "Goodnight guys, tonight was a blast while she walked down the hall and into the room that was located on the other side of the hall and a couple of doors down from Simone's master suite.
The smell of coffee was now seeping through all of the nooks and crannies throughout the house as the sun was already showing itself past the point of the initial sunrise. Annabelle forgot to close the blinds in Jason's room and was soon met by the feeling of warmth as well as the light shining through the uncovered window.
She fluttered her eyes a bit at the brightness now coating the entire room, let out a long sigh, stretched out as far as humanly possible and was soon sitting on the edge of the bed running her hands through her morning hairdo. She got up and made her way to the door to find the bathroom she so desperately needed after her binge of three bottles of water before she went to sleep last night.
As she opened the door, the smell of coffee was more intense as she took a deep breath and the scent encouraged her eyes to open wide enough so she could actually see where she was going.
She was just about to take a step through the door she just opened only to be startled awake instantly by the sight of the blonde-haired blue-eyed professor who was dressed in a tank top and some long pajama pants holding her coffee close to her mouth as she was trying to cool it before taking a drink, but was obviously caught off guard by her younger student standing in front of her, only in a long t-shirt stepping out of her younger brother's room on this bright Saturday morning.
"Um, good morning Simone" Annabelle said while looking down at her own bare feet that were now finding themselves digging into the carpeting below.
"Morning, um, sorry, I didn't expect to see you here" Simone muttered out with a confused look that was slowly turning into a distressed look as she was realizing that Annabelle was coming out of her brother's bedroom.
"Yeah, we were all up chatting for quite awhile, and I was about to go home, but then I was introduced to one of the band rituals which is the sleepover after a show" Annabelle stated while continuing to comb her fingers through her hair.
"Well, if you need anything, help yourself, there is coffee in the kitchen, and if you're hungry, you should be able to find something, but I will be out in a bit to make breakfast for everyone. You're up much earlier than any of the boys ever are" Simone stated as she tried to slyly peak around Annabelle and into Jason's room to see if there was another occupant under the sheets.
"Thanks, that sounds great, so I will see you in a little bit"? Annabelle said in a hopeful tone.
"Yes, I need to freshen up a bit" Simone stated as she subconsciously scanned Annabelle's form in the long t-shirt.
"Hey ladies"! Jason stated groggily as he entered the hallway from the basement.
"Morning Jas, you're up early" Simone said with a sound of relief noticeably emanating from her voice.
"Hey Jason" Annabelle said as she rubbed his shaggy locks.
"Yeah, well, nature calls and Austin is sawing logs down there" Jason replied as he moved in between the two girls that had now moved to leaning against opposite walls in the hallway.
"I'm up, so if you want, I can get changed and you can go back to sleep in your own bed" Annabelle stated as she slowly started to move toward the bathroom before Jason got to the door.
"Yeah, I may take you up on that, hey, what, ar_" Jason was now realizing Annabelle just shut the bathroom door.
Jason just stood there shaking his head with a smirk and said, "Well, I have to say I am very impressed by Annabelle. She sure knows her way around music and she can hold her own with a bunch of obnoxious guys".
"I am glad you are giving her a chance to play her music, just, just be careful Jas, she is still"-
"Simone, please don't say she is still just a kid! I know she is young, but she acts more mature than most people I know and her lyrics, wow, from what I see, she has had more life experiences than most people can say they have had at fifty or sixty years old". Jason said in a quiet tone not wanting Annabelle to hear their conversation in the hallway.
"Okay, well, you do have a point, however, I will still keep an eye on you guys, she is also a girl you know" Simone replied in a hushed tone.
Jason quickly replied in a sarcastic tone, "Oh yeah, I forgot all about that. Sis, don't worry about Annabelle, you won't have to worry about protecting her from any of us, maybe just from- Jason stopped his rambling when he heard the bathroom door swing open and continued by saying, "It's about time"!
"Oh, relax. Oh and who is going to protect me from what"? Annabelle said in a curious tone.
Jason just put his head down and started to grin as he moved quickly to the bathroom and shut the door.
"Well"? Annabelle said in a demanding tone toward Simone.
"Well, I will be ready in a few minutes, so if you're hungry, meet me in the kitchen" Simone said trying to defer attention away from Annabelle' question.
"Okay, I guess I will go get freshened up a bit as well and put on some real clothes" Annabelle said while tugging at the oversized shirt she had on.
Simone just smiled, but then began taking a few steps toward her room and she let out a big sigh and felt the need to wipe off the bead of sweat now apparent on her forehead due to her run in with Annabelle just moments before.
"You are totally losing it, you have got to turn whatever this is that you are feeling, off"! Simone thought to herself as she shut her door behind her.
"Mmm, smells good'! Annabelle replied as she stepped into the kitchen immediately being overwhelmed with the smell of bacon cooking among the various other items being prepared all by Simone's hand.
"There is coffee on the counter or juice in the fridge" Simone said with her back still toward Annabelle.
"Thanks" Annabelle replied grabbing a mug and filling it with brown liquid that would soon be sending a much needed dose of caffeine through her blood stream.
Simone turned around to catch Annabelle staring intently at her as she was about to take a sip of her coffee. Simone shoved down any kind of questionable response to Annabelle's ogling, and said, "The plates are over there, so when you ready help yourself".
"Should I leave some for the guys"? Annabelle said while chuckling.
"Hmm, well, I guess if they don't get up here soon, they will just miss out" Simone replied back with a smile of her own.
"Well, of course I will leave a little bit for the cook to enjoy" Annabelle stated with a smirk.
"Oh, I already ate, I kind of eat as I cook" Simone stated with a shrug.
"Well, will you at least sit with me" Annabelle said while pulling out a chair across from her own as she stood to get a plate full of warm and delicious smelling food.
"Okay, sure" Simone replied as she poured herself another cup of coffee.
Annabelle was on cloud nine. She was in her English Professor's kitchen, eating the breakfast she just cooked, sitting across from her, finding herself able to look into those blue eyes without really feeling guilty for doing so or feeling like she needed to run away quickly. They were just sitting, in the quiet of the morning, exchanging glances.
"How old were you when your mother died"? Annabelle asked breaking the comfortable silence.
"I was nineteen" Simone replied in a solemn tone as she took another sip of her warm beverage.
"If you don't mind me asking, how long was it until you, felt, well, at peace with all of it"? Annabelle asked quietly.
"I can't remember the exact moment that it happened, but it took a few years, and to be honest, during that time, I didn't handle things very well" Simone replied while moving her thumb nervously over her coffee mug.
"What do you mean, you didn't handle it well" Annabelle questioned.
"Well, of course the rest of my family was devastated, my father took it the hardest I think, even though he never really showed those emotions, he just, well, he showed it in his actions by moving away. But I just moved away from everyone emotionally for a bit. I know people say that is to be expected, but I know I let some people who I cared for deeply slip away during that time". Simone said in a sad tone.
"I know what you mean, me and my mother's relationship has not been the same since my dad died" Annabelle stated as she put her fork down on top of her empty plate.
"Where is your mother now"? Simone asked while focusing her total attention toward Annabelle.
"She is still in L.A., but she travels a lot and is rarely home" Annabelle stated sadly.
"What does she do that she has to travel so much" Simone asked.
"She is a Senator, maybe you have heard of Victoria Tillman"? Annabelle replied.
"That is your mother? Yes, I have seen her on television a few times and of course read about her in the papers" Simone stated, when she looked lost in thought for a second, then was now showing a look of realization coming over her.
"What is it"? Annabelle questioned noticing the look on Simone's face.
"Sorry, I guess I never put two and two together, but I think I have seen you on television and have seen your picture in the papers as well" Simone replied now realizing that Annabelle was in the news for different reasons than her mother.
"Oh, yeah, that's me, the Senator's upstanding daughter" Annabelle said in a sarcastic tone.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to".. Simone was interrupted by Annabelle stating, "Don't worry, it doesn't bother me, it is part of my past, one that I am not very proud of, but my past nonetheless".
"Well, I think you are doing very well for yourself Annabelle, you should be proud" Simone responded leaning in closer to Annabelle's side of the table for emphasis.
"Thanks, and I am proud, however, I wish my mom could just see how far I have come and feel the same way. I know it hasn't been easy for her either, but I have changed so much, I hope she can see that someday". Annabelle said with a small sigh.
Simone noticed that Annabelle was getting a little emotional, put her hand over Annabelle's and began softly stroking the top of her hand with her thumb and said, "I am sure she is proud of you Annabelle, maybe she just has a hard time showing it, but, I know I would be, and well, I am proud of you".
"Thank you Simone" Annabelle stated with a slight smile and a gracious tone.
She then turned her attention to the warmth that was radiating from Simone's hand onto hers, not wanting Simone to let go, but soon felt the feeling fade away as she heard voices rumbling through the hallway moving toward the kitchen that was a quiet sanctuary for the professor and her student just a few moments ago.
"Thanks for talking with me" Annabelle stated quietly.
"No, thank you, I really enjoyed this. If you ever need to talk about anything, I am a great listener, and you know where to find me" Simone said just as the boys came stumbling through the door asking "What's for breakfast"?
Whew, didn't think I would ever get to the end of this one.. J
Stay tuned!