First Love | James Hetfield

Just A Fling

1984

Annie felt her eyes drooping as she trudged up the driveway to her home. After an entire night, she made it back to California with the help of Bea's parents who paid for the expenses— much to Annie's dismay, they insisted until she accepted.

She sighed knowing Bea was probably pacing around the house with a million questions ready to bombard Annie with once she entered. She hadn't told any of them the reason she was coming home early.

She let out a frustrated groan at her own tiredness, smacking her cheek and blinking her eyes open as she turned the door knob.

Beatrice's voice filled her ears before the door was even fully opened.

"What the hell happened? Is Aurora with you? Are you okay? Are they okay?" her eyes were almost popping out of her skull with mixed shock and confusion.

"Everything is fine. I just wanted to come home early." she lied.

All she wanted to do is curl into a ball of despair and rot in the comfort of her bed.

Bea's shoulders slumped. "Are you sure?" her voice was a lot calmer now. Annie nodded with her eyes closed. "I'm tired."

"Wait— you do know how worried you had me, yes? I thought something was seriously wrong. My dad would not tell me anything." Beatrice stopped her from leaving, holding her hand up in front of her.

"Yeah." Annie replied, almost robotically. "I'm sorry. Won't do it again." her voice imitated an old creaky door from the tiredness. With that, Bea moved aside so she could leave to her bedroom. Still, she had an odd feeling settle in her stomach. Why would Annie leave early when there was less than a week left?

"Hey, Annie?" she called just before she turned the corner at the top of the stairs.

"Yeah." she muttered, leaning against the wall without facing her, fully ready to flop on her bed, never to return.

"I'm having a few friends over later. Just so you know. Join us if you'd like, when you wake up." Bea suggested.

"Thanks pal." she gave a lazy thumbs up, still with her back to Beatrice.

~

Her face was smushed into her pillow as she stirred awake from the sound of music and laughter downstairs. She groaned dramatically at that and the evening sun pouring into her half open blinds.

She dozed off once more, just about to fall asleep again until the door burst open. She jolted awake, turning to face the intruder with wide eyes.

Mick had the same flustered expression. With a beer in his hand and wide eyes, he let out a breath, closing the door behind him and wordlessly sitting on her bed.

She was quiet for a moment, blinking at him even though his back was turned to her. "Uh, hello? Don't know if you saw me here trying to sleep but I'd appreciate it if y—"

"Yeah." he waved a dismissing hand, letting out another breath before turning to face her. "Yeah.. I just— it's kinda chaotic down there. I forgot this was your room, sorry." he stood up to leave before she flopped on her stomach and grabbed his wrist, pulling him to sit right where he was just a moment ago.

"Sit." she ordered, even after he was sat already. He met her eyes finally, his own brown eyes still frantic as he set his beer on her night stand.

"You okay?" she asked, moving to sit with her legs crossed.

He nodded. "Yeah. Theres just a lot of people down there." he waved her off once more.

"Sorry. Bea said she was only having a few friends over." she pursed her lips together with an apologetic glance.