Between the Lines

Annabelle was rubbing her temples slightly as she made her way down the hall to the kitchen in search of something to relieve the ache she was feeling between her ears.

She pushed open the door to the kitchen, her eyes still trying to figure out a way to pry themselves open, when she smelled the bold scent of coffee lingering in the morning air.

She had managed to barely crack her eyelids open when she noticed movement over by the sink. She silently padded across the floor and was now standing by the blonde fiddling with the dishes from last night in the sink.

"Good morning Annabelle" Simone said not even looking up from the glass she was rinsing out.

"Morning" Annabelle husked and was soon leaning on Simone's shoulder yawning.

"Late night"? Simone asked while trying to ignore the warmth of the girl now attached to her shoulder.

"Not too late, but my head is pounding for some reason, so that is why I am up" Annabelle replied while snaking her arm through Simone's leaning into her a little more while in her not so awake state.

"There is some Tylenol in the bathroom if you need it" Simone stated while forcing herself to focus on the plate she was drying.

"Mmm, maybe if I just rest here for a bit, it will go away" Annabelle said quietly as she let out another slight yawn on Simone's shoulder.

"Um, well, here, lets get you to the table and I will pour you some coffee" Simone stated as she turned Annabelle around and led her to the kitchen table.

"Aww, this chair is not as comfortable as you are" Annabelle pouted as she rested her head down on top of her hands.

"I will take that as a compliment, I guess" Simone sighed as she was pouring a mug full of coffee for the sleeping beauty sitting at her kitchen table.

There was no response back this time and when Simone went to place the cup next to Annabelle, she noticed her breathing was evening out and her mouth was slightly opened as she had already drifted back to sleep.

Simone lightly caressed Annabelle's arm and whispered, "Come on sleepy head, back to bed".

Annabelle didn't protest when she felt Simone slide her arm around her waist and gently guided her down the hall back toward room that held her dreams just a few minutes ago. She was now basking in the warmth of Simone's touch as they came to the door and Annabelle paused and said "Thanks for the 'ride', but I think I need to go get that Tylenol before I- Annabelle was cut of by Simone saying "Go lie down I will get it for you".

Annabelle plodded over to the bed in Jason's room, quickly fell back onto the soft mattress and closed her eyes trying in vain to release the tension behind them,

"Here you go" Simone said in a soft voice as she enticed Annabelle to sit up and take the remedy for her pain.

"Thanks" Annabelle muttered out while she sat up and took the pills from Simone's slightly trembling hand then quickly took a drink of water also offered by Simone.

"Okay, go back to sleep, that should help" Simone stated in a comforting tone while reaching out to move the hair off of Annabelle's forehead.

Annabelle closed her eyes at the contact, not because she was tired, but because she didn't want whatever this dream she thought she was having to end.

Simone felt her hand being tugged at as she was turning to head out of the room thinking that Annabelle had drifted off to sleep already.

"Thank you Simone, and um, will you come wake me up in a couple of hours? I don't want to sleep all day" Annabelle whispered with half opened eyes.

"Sure, now get some rest" Simone stated in a caring tone while giving Annabelle's hand one last squeeze.

Simone just stepped out the door and before she shut it completely, she took one last look the younger girl, looking so peaceful, and then Simone was soon backing out further while quietly shutting the door, closing her eyes and sighing.

"Hey sis, what's wrong"? Jason said groggily as he came up behind Simone.

"What, oh, nothing, just trying to be quiet, Annabelle has a headache so I brought her some Tylenol and told her to go back to sleep for awhile" Simone said trying to keep an even tone in her voice all the while she was still weak in the knees from the feel of Annabelle's hand on hers just moments before.

"Oh, okay, well, then I will try and be quiet too" Jason said while noticing the flushed look on Simone's face as she turned to head back toward her room.


"Well, look what the cat dragged in" Jason snickered as a newly awakened Annabelle came through the kitchen door.

"You're funny this morning, you don't look so hot yourself Jas" Annabelle replied bumping him with her hip as she made her way over to the coffee pot.

"Morning, who told you that, its like almost noon sleeping beauty" Jason scoffed.

"What? I asked Simone to wake me up after a couple of hours, but-" Jason interrupted Annabelle by saying, "She did try, but you wouldn't budge, so she just left you to sleep off your headache".

"Oh, so I guess I am on my own for breakfast" Annabelle replied while holding her now growling stomach.

"Wow, you better feed that thing before it hurts someone" Jason teased as he heard the roar from Annabelle's stomach from across the kitchen.

Annabelle just rolled her eyes and began to scan the fridge for anything she could assemble to quiet her hunger. As soon as she lifted the milk carton from the shelf and began to turn around, Jason stood up and took it from her and said " Look in the microwave, I think you will find that more filling than the bowl of cereal you were about to eat".

"Huh"? Annabelle stated in a confused tone as she shuffled her feet to the other side of the kitchen.

She opened the door to the microwave and found a covered plate with a little note on top.

Annabelle, I hope you are feeling better! This should also help get your day going as well.

Warm this up for about a minute or so... Enjoy!

Simone

Annabelle had the biggest grin on her face as she looked at the neatly written words that her English Professor had left for her. She heated up the omelet that was occupying the plate and then she sat back down at the table noticing Jason smirk.

"What"? Annabelle asked as she took the first bite of the heavenly egg, cheese and veggie mixture.

"She would never do that for me, what is your secret"? Jason asked while leaning in closer to Annabelle waiting for her response.

"No secret, I just radiate this irresistible charm, I can teach you, you know, how to be charming if you like" Annabelle responded in a confident tone while smiling.

"Oh, charm huh, I just figured she felt sorry for you knowing you can't fend for yourself" Jason stated chuckling.

"Hey, I can take care of myself, I"- Jason cut off Annabelle by saying, "Chill out, I am just kidding, I think she just, um, really likes you.

"Well, she is supposed to like me, that's part of her job description right"? Annabelle stated matter of factly.

"Well, yeah, but, she doesn't talk about any of her other students the way she rambles on about you and your writing abilities, and when you we are practicing or you are singing on stage, she um,-" Jason stopped mid sentence when he heard the front open and close and soon Simone was stepping into the room where she was the topic of conversation.

"Oh, hey guys! Annabelle, how are you feeling"? Simone said as she set down a stack of papers on the counter.

"Better now, thanks, I, uh, thank you for the omelet, it was delicious"! Annabelle replied trying not to show her nervousness toward the blonde that just walked into the room and was now standing next to her looking concerned.

"Good, I figured that extra sleep would do you good, so I hope you don't mind that I didn't try very hard to wake you up" Simone stated as she got a bottle of water from the fridge and picked up her papers and headed down the hallway. She turned before totally disappearing into her room and said, "You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it"! Then with a click of the door, she was gone from Annabelle's view.

Annabelle got up to put her plate in the sink, turned back around and said, "Thanks for the company Jas, I am going to get my things and head out. Will you still be here for a few"?

"Yeah, I will be downstairs watching the game" Jason stated as he got up to move in that direction sensing that Annabelle needed a little space after their conversation a few minutes before.

Annabelle got her things together, got dressed and pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail. She checked herself in the mirror once more before grabbing her bag and heading out of the bedroom and into the hall. All she had to do was take a step to the right and she would be downstairs saying goodbye to Jason and heading back to her dorm to enjoy the rest of the day of the week that she was beginning to enjoy a bit more than her weekdays when she was in the presence of her English Professor. On these days, she could be a little more herself around Simone and not feel that she had to keep up a more appropriate appearance while in their respective roles as student and teacher.

She took a deep breath, shut the door behind her and looked to her right, but hesitated and glanced to her left and noticed Simone's door ajar with a sliver of natural light sneaking out of the opening. She gripped her bag a little tighter, took a couple of steps to the left, and stopped. "You're just saying goodbye, that's all, no big deal, just do it" Annabelle whispered to herself while leaning against the hallway wall.

Annabelle lightly tapped on the door and was greeted by Simone's soothing voice saying "Come in".

"Hi, am I interrupting something" Annabelle asked noticing a stack of papers on either side of Simone while she sat at her computer desk.

Simone turned around, not realizing a slight grin appeared on her face and said, "No, just catching up on some grading so next week I can just concentrate on finals" Simone said motioning Annabelle to move further into her room.

"Remember, blue or green, no red" Annabelle said with a smile.

"Are you ready for next week"? Simone asked Annabelle trying to keep the banter light.

"Yeah, I really only have two written finals, yours and Pre Calc. I had to turn in a project for Psych and my music classes are basically listening and critique each others compositions" Annabelle replied like she was talking to Collins and not her English Professor.

"Well, of course if you need help with the first half of the final, let me know, but the in class final on Wednesday, you're on your own" Simone said shrugging.

"Thanks, I think I should be able to handle it, now Pre Calc, not so sure" Annabelle replied.

"Well, Jason can help you with that, my brain shuts off when you start talking formulas, x's and y's" Simone stated with a slight sigh.

Annabelle was giggling at Simone's admission, when she said "Thanks for the warning, I will hit Jason up later. So how do you get a doctorate degree without being able to do math"? Annabelle said teasingly.

"I have connections" Simone replied with a smirk playing right along with Annabelle's teasing.

"Don't think I want to know, thanks" Annabelle stated while putting her hands over her ears.

"Are you getting ready to leave"? Simone asked Annabelle pointing at the bag over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I just wanted to come and say thank you for taking care of me this morning. I appreciate you putting up with me as well as feeding me" Annabelle replied as her demeanor turned from joking to a little shy at the sight of Simone standing up and making her way toward her.

"You're welcome, anytime Annabelle" Simone stated quietly while she put her hands in her pockets.

"Okay, I will see you Monday" Annabelle replied as she stood firm in her position in the middle of Simone's room.

"Okay, be careful" Simone stated as she moved forward and wrapped Annabelle up in a warm hug to finalize their goodbye.

Annabelle couldn't breathe. Her heart had to have stopped for just a second or she thought when she felt Simone pull her in and slowly move her hands on her upper back.

Annabelle bit her lip when she felt Simone relax into her own arms as she stole a quiet inhale of Simone's hair and closed her eyes tightly at the scent that was now permanently ingrained in her senses. Simone began to release her hold around Annabelle's shoulders and gave her one last squeeze on her upper arm when she said " See you Monday".

Annabelle gave a little wave and whispered out "bye" as she turned and exited Simone's room. She new she was moving down the hall, but she couldn't tell if her feet were touching the ground. She had just regained some sort of normal breathing pattern when she set her bag on the kitchen floor and headed downstairs to tell Jason goodbye.

"What's the big grin for"? Jason said to Annabelle like he was able to read her mind.

"Just happy to see you" Annabelle replied back with an even more obnoxious looking grin.

"Okay, whatever, you outta here"? Jason asked the girl who was now sitting on the arm of the couch rolling her eyes at the heavily padded men smashing into each other on the television screen.

"Yeah, I need to get back to the realities of being a freshman in college, you know, studying, homework and laundry" Annabelle said with a slight sigh.

"Well, last night was great, as usual, and don't tell anyone I said this, but, I, um, am happy that you decided to join us" Jason said with a sincere tone.

"Me too, and don't tell anyone I said this, but, I really like you guys, now I know what it feels like to have brothers" Annabelle replied while nudging Jason who was sitting below her on the couch.

"Okay, deal, now get going, freshman, call me later next week and we will go over all the details for the show in LA. When are you leaving anyway". Jason asked Annabelle as she stood up and was now standing over Jason.

"Next Saturday. Me and Collins are driving down together" Annabelle replied.

"Good, I am sure Austin will be glad to know she will be at the show" Jason said with a smirk.

"Yeah, they were all smiles last night while we were playing cards, I swear he folded on purpose a couple of times so she could win the hand" Annabelle replied with a knowing look.

"Always the gentleman that one" Jason said while chuckling.

"Well I think its cute" Annabelle responded to Jason's comment.

"Speaking of cute, if you saw your face when Sim-" Annabelle interrupted Jason by saying, "Bye Jason, and as she enveloped him in a quick hug, she finished by saying, I will call you later".

With that she was up the stairs and out the door. She drove back toward the University not even noticing the other cars, street signs, or the fact that her phone was now vibrating in her purse. She was too lost in the thoughts of Simone's embrace just a few short moments before. She was too lost in the aroma that was still trapped in nose each time she took in a breath. She closed her eyes for a brief second lost in Simone's words, but then suddenly realizing it was only Saturday and now Monday seemed so far away.

Hope you enjoyed the little distraction the girl's allowed for themselves away from the real world.

However.....

Peace!!!