Written in the Rockstars (Completed)

Chapter 16- Confusion

Annabel's P.O.V

I hurried out of the coffee shop,  my cheeks burning.

Rudi had kissed me.

That didn't make any sense.

"Well, " Jack sighed,  wrapping his arm around my waist.

" Eventful," I commented, smiling faintly.

" The thing I don't understand is why he would help us.  He could just give us the instructions,  watch you die and be done with it.  He's just making life harder for himself, " Jack mused.

I could feel my cheeks heating up again. Any second now...

" Babe,  you okay? You're bright red.  You haven't got a temperature, have you? "

I shrugged.  “ Don't think so. Maybe I just caught some sun."

We ambled aimlessly along the street at snail's pace,  gazing at all of the various shops that lined it. A few elderly couples inclined their heads, smiling warmly,  in greeting. Eventually, we reached the end of the road.

"Do you know why? " Jack asked after a long and empty silence.

" What? "

" Do you know why he helped us? "

I hesitated,  before shaking my head without a word.

" Strange," he murmured.

It must have been after four o’clock when we finally made our way home. We sat for hours talking about the most irrelevant things that we could think of. I guess we that that would everything seem less real.

That night,  we ordered a Chinese takeaway, but I wasn't hungry.  The most that I could manage was a

drop of sweet and sour sauce.  I could feel Jack's eyes piercing me,  trying-silently-to grab my attention.

I tried my best to ignore him.

After an hour of hearing only the distant ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway,  Jack sighed loudly.

"Why don't you talk to me? "

" Maybe I just don't know what to say, " I replied,  still not meeting his gaze.

"C'mon, Annabel.  After all we've been through... and you don't know what to say?!" He exclaimed.

" No, Jack, I don't," I said fiercely, before adding,  "I'm going to bed. "

" Annabel-" He began.

" No.  I'm.  Going.  To.  Bed. Alone."

And with that, I strutted out of the room like a proud peacock. 

I climbed the stairs painstakingly slowly, fatigue consuming me; my limbs felt heavy and it was as though my feet were moulded from lead. My eyes prickled with tears and I hiccuped as I tried to prevent a sob escaping my lips.

Finally,  I made it to the bedroom and,  fully clothed,  dived onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.  As I turned over,  my phone flashed on the bedside table. 

Missed Call from Mum.