Another Chance To Love You Chapter 23: An Unexpected Twist, a loving annabelle fanfic

A/N: The story is finally completed! I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Most of the songs in this story that are original were written by me. I ask that you not copy and repost else where. Thanks! AJ

Chapter 23 An Unexpected Twist

"Whoa! They look so bored out there!" a voice behind Annabelle mused out loud causing her to turn around.

It was a month later and the Battle Of The Bands was upon them. Annabelle spun around from where she was backstage doing last minute checks on the group's equipment to see Maddie looking out through the stage curtain.

"Get away from there!" Annabelle hissed grabbing Maddie by the arm and pulling her away.

A group was already on stage singing some song about a girl, a dog, and the California Highway Patrol. Annabelle rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her charges.

"Now remember when you get on stage don't panic. Play like you have in practice. Ok?!" Annabelle said trying to boost her group's confidence.

"They really do look bored! We need to do something to boost them up you guys!" Maddie said looking at each of her band mates. " I have just the thing too!" Maddie added with a sly smile.

"What are you up to Maddie?!" Annabelle demanded suspiciously.

"Nothing just go tell the judges the cover song got changed at the last minute!" Maddie replied motioning to her bandmates to get closer for a whispered discussion as they were called on stage.

Annabelle watched them go and hurried around the back of the stage to where the judges table was located and relayed Maddie's message to them. They were a little annoyed by the last minute change in plans but it was too late to fight it now.

"Stick to the list from now on!" one of the judges snapped and shook her head muttering about "time wasters".

Annabelle hurried back to the other side as her band started playing the into to the cover song they chose to play. Tammy stood up in front of the microphone clapping her hands, stomping her feet, and yelling at the audience "COME ON!" as her bandmates started playing Kenny Loggins "Footloose".

"I've been working so hard
I'm punching my card
Eight hours for what?
Oh, tell me what I got

I've got this feeling
That time's just holding me down
I'll hit the ceiling or else I'll tear up this town
Tonight I gotta cut

Loose, footloose kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Louise pull me offa my knees
Jack, get back c'mon before we crack
Loose your blues everybody cut footloose

You're playing so cool
Obeying every rule
I dig a way down in your heart
You're burning, yearning for

Somebody to tell you
That life ain't passing you by
I'm trying to tell you
It will if you don't even try
You can fly if you'd only cut

Loose, footloose kick off your Sunday shoes
Oh please, Marie shake it, shake it for me
oh, Milo c'mon, c'mon let's go
Lose your blues everybody cut footloose

Ohhhhhhhhhh
Cut footloose ohhhhhhhhhh
Cut footloose ohhhhhhhhhh
Cut footloose ohhhhhhhhhh

You got to turn me around
And put your feet on the ground
Now take a hold of your soul
ah.. ah..ah..ahhhhhhhh, I'm turning it loose!

footloose kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Louise pull me offa my knees
Jack, get back c'mon before we crack
Lose your blues now everybody cut footloose

Loose, footloose kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Louise pull me offa my knees
Jack, get back c'mon before we crack
Lose your blues

Everybody cut everybody cut
Everybody cut everybody cut
Everybody cut everybody cut
Everybody everybody cut footloose
Cut footloose!" Tammy sang as the crowd got up off their seats and started clapping and singing along with the group during the whole time they played. When the song was over the audience cheered and applauded the group making it pretty clear they made it through the first round.

"That was so awesome!" Maddie shouted gleefully as they came back stage again.

"Listen to that crowd, dude!" Brett exclaimed as the audience was still cheering them on.

"Don't get cocky! You still have four more rounds to go!" Annabelle warned them seeing they were getting a bit complacent with their talents.

"We got this in the bag teach!" Maddie assured her with a huge grin.

Annabelle shook her head and looked at the other three kids in the group. Michael, Casey, and Tammy just shrugged. Tammy opened her notebook to continue writing whatever she had been working on before they had gone on stage. Michael and Casey were talking in low tones to each other causing Annabelle to wonder if something was going on between the two of them. Brett and Maddie were still in a euphoric mood over how well they had done. Annabelle sighed and shook her head. Children were so tiring!

"Need any help?" a voice whispered in Annabelle's ear making her jump.

Annabelle turned to see Sam and Jordan standing behind her grinning like a couple of Cheshire cats. Annabelle laughed and hugged her friends to her. The next band started playing their song on stage. Annabelle missed what the song was called but she could tell it was a slow rock ballad.

"Simone is here. She came with Candace." Sam said quietly bringing Annabelle's attention back to the present.

Annabelle inhaled deeply and let her breath out slowly. She had not expected her ex to show up tonight. Annabelle was grateful she was safe behind the curtains backstage where Simone couldn't get to her.

"Are you ok?" Jordan asked seeing Annabelle's expression.

"I'm not sure. She's so persistent." Annabelle admitted with a huge sigh.

"It will be ok. Your group is gonna win and you will become famous!" Jordan said with a grin trying to cheer Annabelle up.

"I don't want to be famous. I just want a normal life." Annabelle replied dramatically with a wave of her hand.

"What the fuck would you call normal?!" Sam demanded causing Annabelle and Jordan to laugh.

"The three friends sat down and waited for the rest of the bands to finish playing. A fifteen minute recess was given after each round while the judges tabulated each groups scores. There were twenty groups in the Battle Of The Bands competition. Four groups with the lowest scores were eliminated after each round. Annabelle breathed a sigh of relief when her group wasn't called for elimination. The kids gathered together to get ready for their next song. Two of the songs they were playing had been written by Annabelle. The other two had been written by Maddie with Annabelle's help putting the music to them. When the group was called back on stage again, Annabelle grinned when they started playing her song "Foolish Games".

"Tired of playing this game,
Don't wanna be your fool no more.
It's like being stuck in a revolving door,
Never getting anywhere.

Giving me ultimatums,
Choices I have to make.
When will I ever,
Catch a break?!

Playing foolish games.
You say hello,
Then you say goodbye.
Want you to slow down,
But you don't even try.
You take two steps forward,
Then you jump right back.
Can't make up your mind cuz it's out of whack." The crowd seemed to get into the song as the group was playing it. When it was over the crowd cheered and applauded for them again causing Maddie's already feelings of euphoria to increase. No matter what Annabelle said Maddie wouldn't calm down. Annabelle sighed and shook her head causing Sam to laugh.

"Aunt Cat!" Maddie exclaimed seeing her aunt being led to where they were all standing behind the curtains.

Another group was playing as Maddie ran past Annabelle and leaped into her Aunt's arms. Annabelle watched with some amusement seeing Maddie nearly choke her Aunt to death. Annabelle felt Sam shift next to her not entirely happy to see their old schoolmate either.

"Hey you guys!" Catherine Douglas stepped toward her old schoolmates shyly. Gone was the hot headed cocky bitch Annabelle had encountered four years ago. In its place now was a well-rounded adult who had gone through a lot in a short time. Annabelle and Sam both knew about the tragic demise of her sister that had left her niece an orphan and Catherine a surrogate parent.

"Hello Catherine. It's been a long time." Sam replied nodding at Catherine.

"Well if it isn't Samantha Davis!" Catherine said extending her hand for Sam to shake.

Sam shook her hand and turned to the woman beside her. "This is my wife Jordan Abbott." she added nudging Jordan forward.

"Jordan Abbott?! The artist?!" Catherine exclaimed in astonishment as Jordan nodded.

"In the flesh!" Sam laughed breaking the ice.

"Wow! I love your work! I was at a Gallery in San Francisco and was completely mesmerized by a painting you did. The use of the colors was so amazing. I went back a few days later to buy it, but it had already been sold." Catherine gushed as she shook Jordan's hand.

"It was bought by me." Sam grinned and nodded to Annabelle.

"And given to me." Annabelle finished coming up to stand next to Sam.

"Hell Annabelle. You look good." Catherine said holding her hand out for Annabelle to shake.

"Always a charmer." Annabelle said and shook her head.

"Could you people be anymore dykier?!" Maddie exclaimed looking at the group of adults shaking hands like total strangers.

"Margaret Douglas!" Catherine and Annabelle both shouted at the same time.

"Geez old people chill! No need for the double shouts!" Maddie replied in a placating tone of voice motioning with her hands for them to calm down.

"Go tune your guitar!" Annabelle said pointing for Maddie to go away.

Maddie gave them a double thumbs up and flitted of towards the other band members. Annabelle pinched her fingers on her forehead like she had a headache as Sam and Jordan started to laugh.

"Sorry about that." Catherine apologized jerking her hand in the direction of her niece. "She is a good kid, but since she lost her mom being an asshole is how she deals with things I guess." Catherine explained with a sigh.

"She really is a mini you then!" Sam laughed giving a mock gasp of horror.

"Fuck you Samantha!" Catherine retorted flipping Sam off.

They all laughed and started reminiscing of old high school days when they were younger. Sam reminded Catherine of how big a bully she had been causing Catherine to blush a bit.

"I regret how I behaved in high school. After losing my sister like I did, I tried to get in touch with Collins to apologize but couldn't find her." Catherine said with a shake of her head.

"Collins is dead, Cat." Sam informed her in a low voice filled with sadness.

"Dead?" Catherine asked looking at Sam to see if she was joking.

"Yeah. She killed herself a year after graduation. Slit her wrists. Bled to death. I guess her depression was worse than we thought." Sam explained with a mournful shake of her head.

They were distracted by the judges announcing the teams eliminated after round two. Annabelle spun around looking at her group of trouble makers to see if they had been eliminated or not. Maddie gave her a thumb up sign which brought a wave of relief to Annabelle.

The third round started and once again The Brat Pack was greeted with loud cheers and applause. This time they played Annabelle's song, "Trying To Get Away."

"I tried to change my number,
Just to get away from you.
And all the pain and misery,
You put me through.

Every text message,
Every phone call.
Was just another way,
For you to get to me.

Trying to get away from you,
And all the pain you put me through.
Trying to put my past,
Where it belongs.
Trying to forget my memories,
Of way back when.
Trying to move forward,
Where peace begins.

I tried to change my appearance,
Hiding in plain sight.
But there was just one place,
I couldn't hide.

I tried to run away,
But something always brought me back.
I tried to die,
But help always came.
I tried to forget who you are,
But you were always on my mind.

Trying to get away from you,
And all the pain you put me through.
Trying to put my past,
Where it belongs.
Trying to forget my memories,
Of way back when.
Trying to move forward,
Where peace begins." Annabelle watched her group play with a silent pride. They were really good. When the song ended the crowd cheered them on and applauded once more. All of the band members trooped back stage.

Once again Maddie and Brett were excited at the reaction of the crowd. Tammy went back to her notebook to write in it and drink some water. Michael and Casey went into their own little world. Annabelle sighed and shook her head like she had done for the umpteenth time that night. The other women were standing around chatting eagerly as Annabelle started to feel a little anxious. She glanced over at Tammy and noticed the teenager was massaging her throat.

"Are you ok?" Annabelle asked walking over and kneeling down next to her.

"Yeah. My throat hurts is all." Tammy shrugged and sipped some more water.

"Do you need medicine or anything? Hot tea to soothe your throat?" Annabelle asked putting her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Nah. I'm god. Just need to rest my voice for a bit is all." Tammy replied with a smile.

Annabelle nodded and allowed the girl to go back to what she was doing. She stood up and walked back to her group of friends. As she approached them on the other side of the back stage area, Annabelle became aware of someone new standing with them. She groaned inwardly as she realized it was Simone.

Annabelle started to turn around and go back towards the kids in her group when Simone turned around and saw her. Simone moved away from the others chatting to follow Annabelle. Annabelle headed for the area that served refreshments and helped herself to a bottle of water. She finished screwing the cap back on the bottle as Simone approached her.

"You did a good job with them." Simone said giving Annabelle a rueful smile.

"Thanks." Annabelle replied starting to walk away.

"How long is this going to go on?" Simone asked grabbing Annabelle's arm.

"I'm not sure. I'm tired of the fighting and the distrustful attitude. I've never lied to you or cheated on you yet you treat me like I have and I'm sick of it. I don't think there is anything left for us anymore." Annabelle sighed and stepped away from Simone.

"Don't say that! Please?!" Simone said stepping towards Annabelle and kissing her on the lips. It was hard and passionate. It was the kind of kiss that Annabelle loved and deeply missed, but it was also wrong.

Simone let Annabelle go after realizing Annabelle wasn't into the kiss, but her words cut through Simone like a knife. It was then she realized what they had was pretty much over. Simone didn't follow Annabelle back to the group. She turned and left the backstage area to return to her seat in the audience.

Annabelle didn't turn to her friends either. She found a quiet spot away from everyone and sat down to think. So much had happened the past few months. Annabelle felt so overwhelmed with the whole situation she didn't even know what to do. As she sat there pondering over things, the next round ended in which her group advanced once more. They walked out on stage to begin the fourth round and just like the other three rounds they were met with cheers and applause. Things were getting tense with eight groups battling for the top spot. Annabelle listened as her group played "Things Left Unsaid".

"Some words are better,
Left unsaid.
Some things are better,
Left undone.
The things that you do and the words that you say,
Can come back to bite you in the ass one day.

You told me that you loved me,
Once a long time ago.
It took me a while to realize,
It just wasn't so.
Just another,
Game that you played.
Just another,
Lie that you told.

You messed with my head,
Then you broke my heart.
You played with my mind,
Then you broke us apart.

Some words are better,
Left unsaid.
Some things are better,
Left undone.
The things that you do and the words that you say,
Can come back to bite you in the ass one day.

You never really meant,
Anything you said.
You never really meant,
Anything you felt.

Never would have thought,
You would be this way.
Never would have guessed,
I'd find out that way.

Some words are better,
Left unsaid.
Some things are better,
Left undone.
The things that you do and the words that you say,
Can come back to bite you in the ass one day." which caused the audience to cheer and urge them on even more. As the song came to a close Annabelle could tell that Tammy was struggling. Annabelle stood up and approached the group as they filed backstage again.

"I think you need to quit while you are ahead." Annabelle said as Tammy walked past her.

Tammy stopped and looked at her teacher with a dismayed look on her face. She started to say something but her throat hurt too much.

"Sit down and rest. I'm going to inform the judges you can't sing anymore." Annabelle said and started walking off.

"You can't do that!" Maddie cried grabbing Annabelle's arm.

"Let go of my arm Margaret!" Annabelle demanded seeing the crazed look in the teen's eyes.

"If you tell them Tammy can't continue we'll be disqualified! There has to be five people in each group!" Maddie exclaimed in panic.

"So I'll take her place then. I know the last song too." Annabelle said causing Maddie to break out in a huge grin and leap into Annabelle's arms hugging her tight.

"You can let go of me now Margaret." Annabelle laughed as the teen let her go.

"Sorry teach! I just don't want to be disqualified!" Maddie said as her face turned red.

Annabelle walked over to the judge's table and informed them of the change in singers due to Tammy being unable to finish. The judges consented to the change and agreed to allow Annabelle to perform the final song if the group made it to the final round. They didn't have long to wait before the final elimination was announced. They had made it! They were in the finals! The group trooped back on stage fifteen minutes later to thunderous cheers and applause. Annabelle took her place at the microphone to the shock of many of the people in attendance, especially, the blue eyed blonde she had ended things with earlier. The band began to cue up the final song, "It's Over".

"It's over,
We're through.
I'm done,
With you!

You've played your last game,
You've told your last lie.
I no longer care,
If you live or die.

There's the door,
So make like a banana and split.
Don't come back,
And bother me no more.

I wasted enough time on you,
Time I can't get back.
I wasted enough love on you,
Love I can't replace.

It's over,
We're through.
I'm done,
With you!

You've played your last game,
You've told your last lie.
I no longer care,
If you live or die.

I was a fool,
To believe in you,
I was too gullible,
To trust the words you said.

I was stupid,
To think you were real.
I was dumb,
To think you were true.

It's over,
We're through.
I'm done,
With you!

You've played your last game,
You've told your last lie.
I no longer care,
If you live or die." Annabelle looked straight at Simone as she sung each word.

Simone felt every word of the song. It was obvious who it was about even if Maddie had been the one who wrote it. Slowly Simone lowered her head as tears sprung to her eyes even though everyone else around her was cheering. The group finished their song and were ushered off the stage to loud cheers and applause.

Sam, Jordan, and Catherine were standing in the back stage area to congratulate them. Annabelle sought her best friend out and threw her arms around her. Sam helped Annabelle as silent tears of grief and finality washed over her.

Soon all the remaining bands were called back on stage. Annabelle let Tammy go with her band mates to accept whatever trophy they were going to receive. And then she heard it. Her ears must be playing tricks on her. They repeated it again.

"The winner of this year's charity Battle Of The Bands is none other than our very own Brat Pack!" one of the judges said to whistles, cheers, and applause from the audience.

The group received their trophies and hurried back stage to hug their teacher who had brought them that far. Annabelle smiled at all of them even though her heart was breaking.

After congratulating them and promising to see them all at the celebration party later on, Annabelle excused herself and left the auditorium. She slowly walked to her car and got in.

The car started, but Annabelle didn't move. The words from the song she sang kept repeating in her head. The grief and pain returned causing her to be unable to breathe. Annabelle's chest shook with the sobs she couldn't hold back. The tears she couldn't control any longer spilled from her eyes.

She finally got control of herself long enough to put the little red Boxer S Porsche in gear and leave the parking lot. She waited patiently at the light for it to change, wiping her eyes on a piece of tissue. As the light turned green, she pulled the car forward. The next moment the unthinkable happened. A truck, the size of a giant, came flying through the intersection. It stuck the little red Boxer S Porsche on the driver's side, sending it spinning across the opposite lane where it crashed into the embankment.

Sam happened to be outside when the wreck occurred. She screamed in horror seeing her best friend spinning out of control. She frantically called 911 for assistance while trying to make her way over to Annabelle. Her legs would not work properly. The shock of seeing such an accident was too much for her.

Sirens broke through the night. Loud and annoying as they were, Sam was glad to see them. A crowd of onlookers gathered to see what had happened. Only three people knew who the car belonged to. Sam turned to look behind her in time to see Simone holding on to some stranger's car for support.

Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars swarmed all over the scene. The driver of the truck was pulled from the wreckage of his vehicle. He was a bloody drunken mess. Sam ignored him and focused on the car across the street. The fire fighters used the Jaws of Life to cut Annabelle's broken and bleeding body from her car. Paramedics rushed over to her with a stretcher. Sam raced to the ambulance as the stretcher was being lifted into it. She couldn't speak. Shock was all over her face. The paramedics moved so she could hop inside the ambulance. The doors were shut, the sirens shrieked, the lights flashed, and they raced away into the night.

The paramedics frantically worked to save Annabelle's life. They hooked her up to a heart machine and started an IV in her arm. The line on the monitor kept a steady up and down motion showing Annabelle's heartbeat. Annabelle's eyes were shut. Sam could see her leg and arm were broken. She could see where Annabelle had the airbag explode against her and left burn marks on her face from the impact. The seat belt had left a mark on the side of her neck.

Sam watched the monitor again and to her horror the up and down motion started slowing down. Annabelle's blood pressure and pulse numbers started lowering at an alarming rate.

"She's crashing! We're losing her!" screamed one of the paramedics.

"Give her an amp of epi! Charge those paddles to 200!" the other one screamed moving into position.

"Annabelle! No! No!" Sam screamed as the monitor show a steady line. A monotous tone emitted from the machine. The numbers were all saying zero. Annabelle was gone.

A/N: I hope no one hates me for the way this ended! Feel free to leave feedback! Much love!