As serious and crazy being engaged at eighteen sounded, living it was another story. We agreed to stay engaged until twenty. We were young, not stupid. I had to be honest, knowing I was commited to someone this age really made things more exciting.

For normal people, they'd feel tied down or stuck. Like their lives were over. Stu and I well, we were living it up. He even started calling me missus Sutcliffe. Telling me I better get used to it. I even went as far as filling out registration papers for college in his last name. Call us crazy. But I was madly in love.
..

We spent Christmas going out to the cinema, visiting Dad and Sarah and bringing our gifts back to our apartment. We decided to open gifts at nine in the evening. Until then, we spent our time making love. We could never keep our hands off each other. Tiffany came by to give us a homewarming present. Which was just a plant and a few pastries her mom baked. 'Stu' and I, gave her a new purse and a few records we didn't want anymore. She was grateful and spent a few hours until she had to leave to be with Paul. I knew something was going on between the two. But she wouldn't kiss and tell. She also mentioned the band was taking time off and John wasn't quite himself.

Stu told her to tell John we said Merry Christmas from us. Even if it didn't mean anything to him. I asked her to give George my blue journal, only for his eyes to see. She agreed and kissed me goodbye.

I was happy when I got a new coat and a few clothes for Stu and I from Sarah. Dad of course gave us a toaster and an envelope with a little money to help us out. It may sound boring or simple to others. But the toaster, clothes and money was enough for us to go by. We weren't the richest pair of lovebirds.

Stu got me a used camera that looked a little scratched. But it worked nicely and was in perfect use. I got Stu some new art materials and nice frame for him to finally put up his award certificate from the college. It was a pretty small but loving Christmas. We had a good time and that's all that mattered.
....

January 4, 1959

I laid in bed late that Sunday night, staring at the ceiling and hearing Stu snore.

I began classes tomorrow. My new life. Stuart assured me I'd be fine and that it would be a fun experience. We could meet during passing classes and then in the cafeteria. But I was still nervous. I still didn't quit the diner. I would work only weekends. But it'd pay less money. Anything to still see Tiffany and figure a way for us to be together.

"You alright love?" Stu asked sleepily. I sighed and shook my head.

"I'm a little scared." I whispered. He pulled me into his arms, helping me relax. I shut my eyes and rested my forehead against his bare chest. He gave off a lot of heat and smelled good.

"You're goin to be great. I love you so much. Just know if it's not what it turns out to be...I'm just a few classes away. Just run out and come get me. We can run away together."

I giggled and kissed his chin. "I love you baby."

"I love ye too Moll. Let's get some rest."

I held onto him tightly and let the steady sound of his heartbeat set me to sleep.
....

I walked through the halls the next day, nervously holding Stu's hand. I was sad when the bell rang. But he showed me around and my classes. We kissed and parted ways. I was on my own, turning into my first class. I instantly recognized Cynthia sitting alone, fixing her books on her desk. I slowly walked over and took the seat beside her. She smiled when she saw me.

"Hi. Um, Molly right? Stu's girl?" She asked. I nodded.

"Yes. I just start classes today and to be honest. I'm more than a little nervous."

She giggled. "Don't worry. You're here once, you get used to it. By tomorrow you'll be wanting out of this place."

I smiled and grabbed out my notebook. "I hope you don't mind but...I really don't know anyone in this place beside Stu and well..."

"John." She sighed.

"I didn't mean to bring him up I..."

"No it's alright. I just..."

"Alright class let's get this started. Some of you will notice we have some new students so please make them feel welcome. I'm Miss Penksi and welcome to my class. We'll be working in writing of course. So please take this time to get to know one another." She smiled.

Cynthia looked down at her desk until I talked to her again.

"What happened with you and John? I mean...he barged in one day while I was at Stu's telling me he.." I leaned in more so only she could hear. "Hit you."

She nodded. "He did. He slapped me actually. I wasn't expecting it at all. I fell back and hit my head on a pipe. I had just come out of the lavoratory and...it happened."

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that. Stu and I convinced him to talk to you. I don't know if he listened or not but...he hasn't been the same since."

"What d'you mean?" She asked, fully intrigued. I could tell from her eagerness, she was still in love with the guy

"He's been having attitude. He um...he got into a fight with Stu the beginning of December. I tried to break it up but..not before getting a face full of rage from Lennon."

"He hit you too??" She asked, sounding appalled.

"He didn't mean to. It was an accident. He didn't have kind things to say about mine and Stu's relationship. He hated the fact Stu asked me to move in with him. He called me a bitch after one of the gigs and...thats when the fight started. Ever since then, the two haven't spoken."

She listened with full ears. Shocked and sympathetic.

"I know John and Stuart were close. He's not a fan of people coming along and taking his things. But that's just it. Stuart is different than lets say Paul and George. Stuart is older than John. He doesn't look up to John the way Paul and George do. With Stu it's all about being an equal. I guess when John and I parted ways, he was expecting to have his pal by his side. Probably noticing Stuart elsewhere stirred him up a bit."

I sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt John."

She reached over and placed her hand on mine. "I know you didn't. These blokes are so frustrating sometimes."

I sat back in my seat. "Do you think the two guys will talk today?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. John's quite stubborn. He won't admit when he's wrong."

"Knowing those two, they'd probably just ignore each other until someone makes the first move. I swear you'd think they were the couple."

She laughed and stared at a group of girls who seemed to be talking and pointing at us. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Who are they?"

"Just some girls who've been hanging around John. Well, not actually with him. Just always flirting and such. They know John and I've broken up and...it'd only be a matter of time.." She said sadly.

"You still love him. Don't you?"

She sighed. "I miss him. His outbursts and fits I can deal with. I just miss his humor, his kisses, the music and creativity. But I can't say I'm sorry. I'm not the one who should be apologizing."

We jumped when the bell rang.

"Well, that was fast."

"It's usually fast the first day. Then the rest it takes a year." She rolled her eyes. I smiled and gathered my things, walking beside her as we left class together.

I noticed we were walking the same way until we reached another class. We giggled and made our way inside, spending the easy day talking and getting to know one another until we had to part ways our next class. I sat, taking notes in photography and paying attention. It was simple, but I knew it was going to start getting difficult. I ended up meeting Cyn again after her lettering class. She came out of the room completely red and quiet.

"What's wrong?" I asked. John walked out of the room seconds later, just glancing our way and walking the opposite direction. "Oh."

"He sits behind me and I could swear the entire lesson I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. He set this on my desk." She handed me a folded paper.

I looked it over. "It's a flyer for their gig tonight. Are you going??"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I have nothing to even wear in those types of clubs. I can't walk in their with my skirts and white sweaters." She blushed.

"You busy after classes?"

She shook her head. I grabbed her arm and pulled her with me to the cafeteria where Stu waited.

"Were going to that gig tonight. And you're going to outshine all the girls there." I smiled.
.........