Adored (on hold)

Chapter 1 ~ Odd Tasks

Annabelle had come for a relaxing holiday back at her childhood home of Brisbane, Australia to spend time with her mother. Although, it seemed that her mother had other plans for her.

Life back at her other home in London wasn't necessarily hectic, but she wasn't bored either. Nonetheless, her mother had set for her every task she wasn't able to complete during her work day at either the all girl school or ballet school that she taught at.

Nicole Bailey had promised her daughter that this year was her last at teaching full time, but she didn't know if she would be able to give up on teaching the young and impressionable girls of Elivan High School. The school contained girls from every grade but in particular, Nicole taught the older girls. They were the best and worst years to teach as she found herself befriending the exuberant girls and almost forgetting that she would have to say goodbye to them within months. She had yet to tell the school of her next years plans and thus had time to deny or accept the offer of becoming a part time substitute.

And so, Annabelle was sent to run around the lively streets of Brisbane to gather and return items, cut out grade 11 worksheets and do any other odd assignments her mother had asked of her.

'62 plastic rings? What could she possible want with 62 plastic rings?

Annabelle gazed at the 14th dot point on the sheet before her in confusion.

She has spent the last hour and a half in the same store looking for obscure items her mother wanted and another 3 hours prior in others stores. After the 3rd random request (one can only receive so many stares at the 10 boxes of extra large trash bags in their hands before they start to become wary of themselves) she had rung her mother to confirm she had the correct list - which she did - and proceeded to ask a stream of questions on the purpose behind the items.

It was roughly three hours past midday when Annabelle returned to the beauty that was the sun. Lugging back bag upon bags of odd items to her car, she started thinking of what to have for lunch. She truely needed to relax after the tiresome work that was shopping and instantly was reminded of the quite cafe around the corner. With a new sense of eagerness, Annabelle dumped the bags into the back her mothers mlittle car, locked it and walked off towards the café.

Pushing the clear glass door open, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee assaulted her nose. The bells at the top of the door chimed at her entry and a few heads turned towards her in hopes of recognising a friend but instead met her unfamiliar brown eyes. Walking towards a free table for two in the corner, she took a deep breath, relishing in the scent of the café.

Plucking a menu from the stand in the centre of her table that displayed her table number, various advertisements for deals the café had to offer and salt, sugar and pepper, Annabelle gazed through the options. After deciding on one of their toasted sandwiches and a coffee, she stood up to order at the counter, not worrying about saving her seat as it seemed to be a slow day for the business.

The bells of the door chimed occasionally with each strangers entry but Annabelle was unfazed as she sat scrolling on her phone waiting for her meal. Upon opening the various social media apps that her phone contained, she was met with the faces and experiences of friends past and present, celebrities and numerous news articles.

She knew she should probably contact old friends now that she was back in Brisbane and ask to meet up, but she couldn't be bothered in faking interest in their less than exciting lives. Not only would some be married, some (most) would be more successful and put together than her and make her feel bad about herself. Annabelle wasn't insecure about her lifestyle or life choices but she couldn't help the jealously she felt when hearing about how successful certain assholes had become after high school.

However, she could put up with some past friends, in particular Dawn and Damien Marle, or the Twins. They had met through a mutual friend in high school and had been friends ever since. They were used to distance as they didn't attend the same high school when they met but a meetup was overdue.

Choosing to ignore all other social media posts, Annabelle dove into the interesting (and commonly fake) news articles. (She wouldn't do this often but this coffee was taking sooo looong) Flashing headlines burst across her phone screen, aiming to entice her but one article in particular caught her eye.

"Hottie Bachelor Prince Has FINALLY Landed In Brisbane"

As soon as she tapped on the article did her food and drink arrive. Quickly murmuring a quick 'thanks', Annabelle took a sip of her boiling coffee to be met with a burnt tongue.

Placing her phone next to her plate she began reading while eating her toasted sandwich.

'The prince has finally landed in Brisbane and attended his first event in Australia this evening. Unluckily for us, he's only been seen with officials but is rumoured to be attending a public outing with reports of a private tour around Brisbane by members of state.

Although we all know he's really here to find the one.

Locals of countries he has previously visited on this trip around the world state him having a "far off look in his eyes, as if he is looking for something ... or someone."! Aww, he is just too cute!

We can only dream of being his someone special, I mean who wouldn't? The man is not only a prince but adorable with his cousins children and is one hunk of a man! And a man he certainly is as he has definitely grown up from the scrawny boy he was when he was 12. Although they looked horrific, we can only thank his parents for giving him those braces, his smile makes every girls knees weak!

And the way he talks about his destined makes us want to protect this boy from the world! He doesn't even know them and he already talks about them with such admiration. Who ever is able to snatch him up is truely lucky as this man is too good to be true.

Rumours of several other outings for the prince are surculating but nothing can be confirmed as he will most likely be conducting these out of the public eye, but still within reach of citizens to enable is search to be easier.

So keep your eyes peeled for England's very own prince as he may be just around the corner!'

Jeez, could some people spin a tale. Annabelle thought to herself.

For all she knew he really was here on business and probably didn't want to be disturbed.

Of course she had played with the idea of meeting the prince and being - what people described as - his one. However - unlike so many girls - she didn't see to it that it be her life's mission to seek out the prince in order to become his wife. She did however, commended them on their bravery, not many people go into battle fully aware that they are fighting a losing battle, nonetheless one that had been fought and defeated before, but continue to fight it.

She had grown up on such stories with countless movies and books being dedicated to the idea of soulmates. And of course, with such awareness of how unlikely her chance was at becoming his one, she did not pursue the idea of becoming is mate after the age of 16. (That's not to say she didn't enjoy the books and movies on the idea.)

Annabelle wiped the crumbs from around her mouth with a napkin after closing her phone. She shoved the device into the back pocket of her jeans, stood up from her chair and walked out of the café to her next task: a walk near the river.

It wasn't prescribed by her mother but she thought a walk before heading home and finishing her tasks would clear her mind and get her back in the active mindset to 'work'. With this decided, Annabelle set off to walk along the path beside the cities river.

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Word count: 1405

A/N:
Ahhh, first chapter up!
This is my first story so if you guys could point out any spelling or grammar nerrors that would be great.
I have so many ideas for this and I'll try and be consistent but if I'm not please forgive me!