Not My Fairytale

Chapter 1 - Seven Years Later

I stare blankly at my computer screen. Mind blank, I drum my fingers against the wooden desk top. The light from the screen glares into my eyes, causing them to ache. Pausing my drumming I place my chin on my palm and look outside of the window. Condensation threatens to completely obstruct the view, but, through the fog I am able to look out to the street bellow. The city never stops. People walk on by outside, their conversations muted by the glass. Pulling my eyes away from them I look up at the sky, painted grey with dark clouds. The sign that winter will soon be upon us. I had moved to Manchester once I finished my degree. For three years I enjoyed the idyllic quiet Cambridge life and longed to throw myself into the heart of a busy environment framed by skyscrapers. I thought it would help. Inspire my writing, get my written work out there. I look back at the blank page in front of me. From behind the door creeks open and I quickly lean forward in order to look more industrious. An arm sneaks its way around me, placing a mug to the side of my computer.

"I brought coffee," a voice says before a pair of lips give me a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You are a hero," I reply with a smile, swivelling around to be greeted by a pair of sea green eyes.
"You say that every time," he laughs, tucking a stray hair that had evidently fallen out of my messy bun behind my ear.
"Because every time you are Noah," I chirp back, ruffling his blonde locks.

I turn back to the computer and let my shoulders fall at the sight of the lack of work.
"How's it going?" Noah wraps his strong arms around me and rests his chin gently on top of my head.
"Progress is somewhat slow," I reply with a sigh, "I don't know where to begin."
"Well, you could begin by putting these on," from in front of me he picks up my discarded reading glasses. Guiltily, I take them from his grasp. I am frequently forgetting to wear them. "And you could start by doing this?" His fingers reach out and begin to type. I look at the screen to see the words "Chapter One" staring back at me.
The corners of my mouth curl upwards, "You're right. That is a good start."

My head leans back and rests against his chest and my eyes fall shut.
"It's only going to take one yes and you'll be flying," Noah kisses the top of my head, "I said i'd go and see Dan, are you sure you don't want to come?" He asks.
"No, you go," I reply patting him on the arms, "It's important for you to get some boy time."
Chuckling Noah releases my from his embrace, "We are twenty-seven Row, I think we class as men by now."
"Not when you're together you're not," I tease.
A piece of crumpled paper hits me on the back of the head and I turn to glare at the perpetrator.
"Point proven," I say, retrieving the weapon from the floor and throwing it back at him.
I watch as the ball of paper falls short. I never was good at sport. Noah stands in the doorway looking like an excitable child, a grin taking up his face.
"Go!" I laugh, creating a shooing movement with my hand.
He mocks a salute before leaving the room. I wait a couple seconds before hearing the flat door click shut.

Returning back to the laptop I open the internet and load up my emails. Scanning through I keep my eye out for any in regards to the manuscript I had sent to various publishers a few weeks ago. Nothing. No different to usual. I stand up, stretching my legs and survey my tiny boxed room. My stomach beginning to rumble, I collect my coffee and decide to head into the kitchen for a snack break. Not that I have particularly earned it. Navigating my way around the kitchen island I make my way to the freezer. Pulling out a fresh tub of honey comb my fingers practically burn against the cold wrapping. Arming myself with a spoon I sit myself on one of the breakfast stools at the island. As I amm about to tuck in the door opens.

"One of those days huh?"
Hannah strolls in, her hair pulled back and her scrubs hidden by her huge winter coat. She swings her bag on the counter to the side of me and slumps into the stool next door. She gestures at me to get her a spoon for herself which I oblige, knowing that shes just come off one of her placement shifts.
"Everyday seems to be one of those days," I reply, sliding off the stool, "How was it today?"
Hannah shimmies out of her coat and hangs it on the back of the stool, "Long but rewarding. I can't believe it's not long until I get to start my specialism training."
I never knew just how long it takes to become a fully trained hospital Doctor until Hannah began her journey to being one. Handing her a spoon she takes it gratefully.
"Is Noah joining us tonight?" she asks, plunging her spoon into the frozen desert. I shake my head, my mouth full with ice cream. I swallow it quickly which causes a brain-freeze induced headache.
"He's out with Dan tonight," I explain.