Hi all! Thank you again for reading and reviewing! Of course a big thank you to those who have added my stories to their favorites list! Another chapter, another flashback, another...
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Flashbacks in italics
Late at Night
"Have you heard anything yet"? Jason asked as he set down a fresh cup of coffee for his older sister as she leaned back in her chair just enough to stretch her stiff muscles from last night's sleep.
"No, and I probably won't until Jonathan gets back from vacation" Simone replied as she blew on the mocha colored liquid before taking a sip of the much needed wake up call this morning.
"Well I know you are anxious about everything, but I am glad I get to have you here so I can torture you a bit longer before you go traipsing off to some other country, never to be seen again" Jason chided Simone knowing she would really rather keep herself busy with work then sit around and dwell on everything at the moment.
"I am sorry if I seem like I would rather be somewhere else. My mind is just all over the place right now and I hope this time away from work will help me work through some things instead of make me more crazy than I already feel" Simone stated as she continued to stare into her mug, the liquid resembling smooth glass, like a small mirror into her soul, as she continued to look into the mug, seemingly looking through it, then closing her eyes, only finding Annabelle's defeated eyes staring back at her, as she left the bathroom of the reception hall the week before.
Simone had so many questions. She thought that finally, at this point in her life she was settled in heart, mind, and soul. She thought that all the time she had spent before that fateful day in her lecture hall, was for naught. She felt that she didn't really live, to the fullest until that blue eyed beauty walked on to that campus and right into her heart. Of course she had the ability to see other places in the world, meet people from different cultures, experience the love of her family, her friends and her love of the written word. None of these would ever compare to what she felt when in Annabelle's presence. As much as she could fall into the emotions of a great novel and express her words eloquently when in the presence of a photograph that needed her touch to give others a detailed image through words, she couldn't ever put to words what emotions rested in her heart, for the one, who had said heart in her hands. At this point in time, she felt that her heart was not given the freedom to beat in her own chest, that until she could hear that voice, feel her embrace, that only then would her heart return to the rhythm it once knew. Her heart was gone, somewhere across the country, out of reach. As much as she wanted to hop on the next plane to where Annabelle was winning more and more fans over with her words and music, she felt that her forcing a confrontation would not help the situation. The war within her heart and head would be hard fought. She was going out of her mind with wonder if they would ever reunite. She was trying not to negate Annabelle's feelings, she knew somewhere deep down, she still loved her. However, as the days and months traveled by, she was constantly heckled by the feeling, regardless of Annabelle's feelings for her, that she may never return to their life. She was hoping her emotions were just getting the better of her, that her insecurities, that were once set by the wayside, were now flooding her being again, but now she found she was trying in vain to quiet that swirling storm.
The phone buzzing on the table brought Simone out of her thoughts. Simone hadn't realized that Jason left the kitchen while she was deep in thought. She noticed Jason's phone screen lit up with a familiar name. Her heart began to race. She could just reach over and with one push of a button, be engulfed in that husky voice that was a little more harsh on the morning after a show. She could just get lost listening to her breathe or sigh, knowing she was running her hand through her hair as she was trying to find the words to say after so much distance. Her conscience got the better of her when she just got up to rinse out her mug and left the noisy item to silence itself once the designated number of rings were complete.
"If you ask me, I think you should go" Jason said to a sullen looking Simone as she was clicking her way around the page with many different selections for a reservation.
"I don't remember asking you" Simone deadpanned not taking her eyes off the screen to acknowledge her brother's presence.
"Okay then, someone was asking about you, so I thought you might want to know, but you seem preoccupied, so I will leave you to it" Jason retorted as he walked out of the room.
Simone blinked a few times, letting what Jason said sink in. She pushed away from the desk and quickly followed the footsteps her brother had just completed and said "You talked to her? What did she say"?
"Why don't you ask her yourself" Jason replied non nonchalantly, trying to not sound callous but understanding that the both of them were just being ridiculous after all this time, and his frustration was beginning to show.
"I would, but she won't answer my calls" Simone responded dejectedly as she collapsed into the chair in the kitchen.
"I think you know what you need to do. Just do it Simone" Jason stated firmly at the same time taking his sisters now shaking hand trying to ease the deep seeded indecision floating around in her mind.
"I can't believe you are here" Annabelle stated as she took another step back, taking in the sight in front of her, still completely confused as to what she was really seeing.
"Well, I hope that its okay that I came to see the show and wish you a happy birthday" Lita replied in a slightly somber tone as she noticed Annabelle's body language and facial expression.
"Of course its okay. I am just surprised to see you, this was just totally unexpected, but I am glad you are here" Annabelle said reassuringly, not wanting to show any kind of disappointment in her features.
"I had some time off, so I figured I would take a road trip and catch one of your shows while you were on this side of the country" Lita continued as she walked with Annabelle down the hallway as she continued her search for some bottled water.
"So how did we do"? Annabelle asked trying to just make small talk.
"You know you shouldn't even have to ask that" Lita stated with a chuckle as she looked at Annabelle with a sideways glance.
"Hey, believe me, we have done a few not so up to par shows. Honestly, I felt kind of off today, so I hope that at least I hid that well during the show" Annabelle replied as she opened the door to another room that had a full size refrigerator, knowing she would find a stash of water in there.
"Well, you sounded great! It was worth the trip, old lady" Lita chided as she took the offered bottle of water from Annabelle's hand.
"Yes, I may be older, but you, you are older" Annabelle responded with a smirk suddenly appreciating the unexpected invasion from her recent past.
"Okay, okay, point taken. How many more shows do you have"? Lita questioned as they walked back to the band's dressing room that was now more full with fans that were clamoring around just to catch a glimpse of just one and if they were lucky all five of the band mates in one place.
The noise had risen to the level where close talking into someone's ear would be the only way that you could carry on a conversation. The boys were scattered around the room. Jason and Austin were trying their best to be polite to the fans that were bordering on stepping over the line in their contact and closeness. Julianne was chatting with one of the sound crew about the show, at the same time smiling watching Jason squirm under the attention he was getting, knowing he was trying his best to be friendly but not too friendly. Austin was now excusing himself to get another drink, leaving his friend to fend for himself, and slightly chuckling as he walked away. This was a ritual between the two since they started touring. Knowing they both were already in relationships, the mercilessly teased one another in these situations, seeing who could make the other one feel the most uncomfortable. Annabelle also knew of this ritual and never chose sides, she just delighted in the both of them squirming on different occasions.
"I can't believe how many people are in here. I figured you guys had a limit or something" Lita stated as she leaned in to Annabelle's ear so she could hear what she was saying.
"Me neither, but I guess each show is different and no one must have said specifics to security" Annabelle replied as she leaned in to Lita's space due to the noise.
"Okay, so how many shows do you have left"? Lita questioned again after the quantity of people in the room distracted them from their earlier conversation.
"We have three shows left. One the day after tomorrow and then we have the last two next week" Annabelle replied as she moved to the other side of the room to try to get to a more quiet area.
"So, do you have any free time tomorrow? I took a few days off and was hoping to see the sights" Lita asked as she moved to sit on the smaller couch in the corner of the room.
"I will after rehearsals. We just go over the set list and make changes if any are necessary, so we aren't working all day" Annabelle answered as she leaned back further into the couch.
"Can I take you to lunch, or dinner, whenever you are done? You know, for your birthday"? Lita said with a hopeful tone.
"Sure, I would think dinner would work best. We are not the earliest risers on these trips" Annabelle chuckled a bit as she felt a weird twinge move through her body at the sight of Lita's face as she was agreeing to dinner.
The crowd had only settled down just enough that Annabelle didn't have to speak too loudly to get everyone's attention. This was the part of the show she embraced the most. The band had left the stage and now it was just her and her guitar, the emotion of the night wrapping up with the final words that had been trapped in her throat for the last couple of hours. She gave the crowd one final thank you before she began picking out the simple tune.
It's late at night
and I cant sleep
And so i lie
awake and try to think
But when you hold me
the way you do
I have no choice
But to fall in love with you
It's late at night
It's late at night
And sometimes it hurts so bad
When i think about all the times we've had
And all the memories that I've made
Of us together are fallin away
And I'm falling too
And I'm falling too
It's late at night
It's late at night
It's late at night
It's late at night
Do you think, do you see, do you even believe in me
Do you feel the same leaving me to blame for all your pain
Well do you think, do you see, do you even believe in me
Well do you feel the same leaving me to blame for all your pain
It's late at night
It's late at night
Too late to call you've fallen asleep
and fall away from me
Too late to call you've fallen asleep
and fall away from me
Do you think, do you see, do you even believe in me
Do you feel the same leaving me to blame for all your pain
Well do you think, do you see, do you even believe in me
Well do you feel the same leaving me to blame for all your pain
It's late at night
It's late at night
Annabelle could never get used to the increasing noise that would surround her ears each and every time she finished that last song of the night. She never realized how much those words from her soul resonated deep within those in attendance. She was grateful at this point to hear the sounds coming from the audience. This helped her focus her attention for a few seconds on the faces in the crowd, taking in their smiles and other signs of approval. This helped her focus her attention away from the ache in her heart after releasing those words into the night air. She was grateful for another reprieve, if only for a few minutes, when the crowd once again increased their voices as she waved to them one last time before exiting the stage. She took one last look at the crowd and then a brief glance at the sky, then she put her head down and wrapped her hand around the neck of her guitar and continued her way to the side of the stage. She was met with more cheers and whistles from her back up band and as she was giving them all hugs and thank you's she caught a glimpse of someone who she hadn't recognized being backstage before or during the show. She released the last musician and began to make her way toward the dressing room. She couldn't shake the vision she thought she had just witnessed and wanted to put her racing mind to rest. She had gone from show to show with a slight delusion that her songs were being heard by the only person responsible for her emotional state, at any given moment, day or night. She wanted to believe, if only for a brief moment, that her words were not only reaching the crowd in front of her and falling back onto her own ears. She finally reached the door and hesitated to push herself the rest of the way into the room. The sound of the voice that had permanently engrained itself into her memory, swept through her ears as she heard that single word, "bye". She swallowed the lump that had now formed in her throat and moved through the doorway into the open room. She couldn't believe it was real. The sight in front of her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she pushed the end button on her phone. Annabelle was frozen in her movements when those blue eyes found her own.
"Hi" Simone breathed out, so silently that the sound of Annabelle's heart pounding in her own ears didn't allow it to truly register until she heard, "I hope its okay that I am in here".
Annabelle looked deep into blue, let out a slight sigh, and let her eyes fall to the ground, not wanting Simone to see her emotions that were now working against her as a few tears moved down her cheek, only to be impeded by a soft hand now firmly pressed against her face.
Late at Night is by Kristy Lee
I hope you all have a great week and a fabulous Super Bowl Sunday! :)
Peace!