Written in the Rockstars (Completed)

Chapter 9- Falling Fast

********** 5 years later *************

The alarm beeped at six o'clock. Jack and I groaned simultaneously as we were woken by its ear-splitting sound. I climbed reluctantly out of bed and glanced at Jack as he trudged lazily into our en-suite bathroom.

Monday mornings were always the worst.

Five years previously, Jack's psycho kind-of girlfriend was sentenced to prison for drug-dealing. Jack hadn't touched a cigarette or even a drop of alcohol since then. I auditioned for Royal Academy of Music in London and did a two year course, before doing a teaching degree. I worked at Acton High School in the west end of London as a music teacher. Jack went to Leeds university and also studied music. He taught guitar at high schools around London, including Acton High School. We bought a four bedroom, detached house a year previously.

That morning, I pulled a black pencil skirt on with a floral blouse and tied my hair back in a ponytail, attaching my I.D card to my lanyard. I sat at my dressing table and painted my make-up on. Jack appeared behind me, a wide grin on his face. He slipped his arms around my waist and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said.

"Morning, honey," I smiled.

"Should I make you some toast?" he asked.

"I'll do it when I come down."

" Okay, " he planted another kiss on my cheek.

Ten minutes later, I made my way downstairs, where Jack was watching the news, devouring a bowl of cereal.

When I appeared,  Jack said,  "Oh, Annabel,  your mum called!  She said could you call her back ASAP."

" Is she okay?" I asked as I stirred my cup of tea.

" She did sound a bit flustered but she said that there's nothing to worry about, " he shrugged.

“Mmm. I'll phone her later, " I replied, turning back to my breakfast.

Little did I know that this was the worst decision I had ever made.

At eight o'clock, I climbed into my plum-coloured Ford Fiesta and waved to Jack, who was teaching at a different school that day. I switched the radio on and drummed my fingers against the steering wheel as 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams came on, causing me to burst out in song.

When I parked the car in the staff car-park, I ambled along the corridors towards the music staff-room. I passed a few teachers and greeted them with a bright 'hello!', which was very surprising for a Monday morning. 

My best friend, Madeleine Davey, was already in the staff-room, filing through some papers on her desk, when I arrived.

"Morning, Madeleine," I said as I entered.

"Hiya, Annabel. You okay?" she asked.

She had shoulder-length, curly dark brown hair and hot chocolate- coloured eyes. She was one of the fastest swimmers in the country, but also an amazing pianist and cellist. I always called her a 'freak of nature' for being so skilled at everything!  She was about five inches smaller than me, but for some reason our differences made us the best of friends. She was my best friend since the age of seven and twenty years later, we were working in the same place.

"I've got that Monday morning feeling," I replied, flinging myself down onto my chair next to Madeleine's.

"I know how you feel. But to be honest, I think I always feel like that," she noted. I laughed and switched my laptop on.