Chapter 5; 

John decided to not walk me home this afternoon, knowing that we'd both have to get ready. So as I stepped off the bus I knew Paul was right on my tracts wanting to talk about this afternoon. "Wait up Eloise!" Paul called and I did as he said, slowing down as he speed walked toward me. "What happened this afternoon, I never got a chance to even talk to you." 

"All John and I did was hang out. Charlie and Pete were there so it was fine." 

"Well I'm glad yer okay! You didn't happen to 'ave plans for tonight.. Do ya?" 

"I do actually... I'm going to a party with John..." 

"Then I'll see you there?" 

"Yer going?" 

"Course I am." 

"Oh! Alright, I'll see you then Paulie." I said ruffling his hair and going up my steps, unlocking the door, closing it behind me and running up stairs. I'm already nervous. What will I wear tonight?

I looked through my closet for something cute to wear. I finally decided on a simple dress, with a leather jacket to go on top and I tied a bandana in my hair like a head-band. Some light make-up and shoes to match. I was ready with fifteen minutes to spare. And sadly in those few minutes my dad pushed throw the door. 

"Good evening sweetie. How was school?" He asked, giving me a hug and kissing my head. "Woah, where are ye goin' tonight? All dressed up yeah?" 

"A party, a friend of mine invited me. School was fine though, how was work." 

"Great. I was just sittin' at the Docs though durin' lunch and saw a boy and girl walkin' down the street. No doubt they were meant to be in school." 

"I guess it's true what they say. Kids skip school a lot?" 

"Sure is. Who's comin' to get you?" 

"A friend." I replied cautiously. Not wanting to sound snippy but not wanting to give out to much details. 

"Who?" He asked, right as the door bell sounded off. Ah, saved by the bell. 

"Nobody, I'll be back soon!" I said rushing to the door. "I know Paul'll be there! So I might just go on home with him. Love you, bye." I said, rushing towards the door, looking in the mirror and shutting the door. "Hi John." I said, straightening my dress. 

"Look at you," John said stepping back and looking at me, causing me to blush. He quickly grabbed my hand and we walked down the street together. "You look amazin' everybody'll be jealous. Just you watch." 

"Be quiet John. So Paul's supposed to be there..." 

"Paul McCartney?" 

"That's the one." 

"Isn't he a grade below you." 

"I have some classes with him. I never thought to bring it up. But then again I have classes with you." 

"It's because yer wickedly smart." 

"And that's not what I want to be known for." 

"Then what do you want to be known for?" 

"That's a deep question... But I guess it'd have to be my questioning nature, me always thinking about the 'what ifs?'. Going to a place no body else has been. And not being somebody normal. What about yourself?" 

"I want to play rock'n'roll. I want to be like Elvis. I want Mimi and George to look up at me and nod approvingly." 

"Yer aunt and uncle?" 

"Yeah. I 'ad to give her the number to this place actually. So protective." John said, as we at last reached the house that I'm guessing the party was at. John knocked on the door and another guy wearing the almost same leather jacket and pants as John opened the door. My leather jacket feels right at home to say the least, even if the girls didn't have one on, there was another leather in the house to open a store.

"Stay 'ere and I'll get us some drinks alright?" John said, pulling me out of the way from the door, I nodded in agreement and searched for a somewhat familiar face. And that's when I saw Charlie and Pete all wrapped up in each other. 

"Charlie?" I said, not sure it was her, but her head shot up, hearing her name and looking around. Once she made eye-contact with me, she pulled away from Pete's grip and conversation with another guy and came straight towards me. 

"Ellie! I didn't think I'd see you here?" 

"I didn't think I'd see you and Pete here either." 

"Well I'm glad you are. I know no-one of the sort. You know, Pete and I stayed out of class for the whole day together!" Charlie said excitedly almost shrieking in a hushed tone, a huge grin across her lips.

"That's great! I'm happy for you two. Is it something..?" 

"I think so!" 

"Did you kiss him?" 

"Maybe!" She said smiling too big to be hiding something "Okay yes! How 'bout you and John?" 

"What about Eloise and I?" John asked, handing me a bottle of what seemed to be beer." 

"I was just asking how yer day went." 

"Great! Except, you and Pete weren't in sixth nor eighth block yeah?" 

"Sorry... We got kind of held up." 

The party continued, in full force, until about four in the morning. Astounding that the police hadn't been called but we were all told to leave, we took the advice and began to pack up. I stumbled out of the house, John's hand in mine and I couldn't tell what had been intoxicating me; the countless beer, cold breeze, or John how murmured little things in my ear, kept me balanced and kissed me so tenderly on the cheek at my door that my knees went limp under me. Luckily my dad hadn't waited up and I was able to climb the stairs with no one to notice. I changed my clothes and quickly went to bed. 

When I woke up the next morning I thought that the pounding was only in my head, but I noticed it was at my house. I guess my dad must've gone to work already so I pulled myself up and down the stairs. A breath-less Paul standing there. "Ellie," Paul said sadly. I could tell something wasn't right. "It's John." 

"What? What about John?" I asked almost instantaneity. 

"Not him. His uncle George. He passed away this morning." Paul said breathing in a shaky breath. I don't know if you've had that feeling before; your throat tightening and your muscles becoming tense. That you feel like crying but yet have to conceive a reason why. Is it because you're sad that another person's dead, or you feel for their family, or is it because you've been there and it's hell. Something you'd never wish upon someone you hate. Needless to say, I cried due to all these reasons. Yet I felt guilty and self-centered. I needed to see John.