Chapter 16:

Two weeks later. Dona called me last week, saying she’d be here, today actually. I woke up at 7 in the morning, and crawled out of Paul’s grip. That has became a constant, he’ll be in my room or I’ll be in his room.

“Where are you going?” Paul groaned, not bugging to open his eyes.

“I have to get ready. Hennery will be here at seven, to get Dona remember?” I told him and I could tell he had drifted back to sleep, because of his mumbled answer. I got dressed right there, knowing Paul wouldn’t dare to wake up, I pulled on my dark blue jeans and then my favorite blue green sweater that my grandma had bought for both Dona and I, even though hers was a different color. I called Hennery on the phone telling him it was fine for him to come. I pulled my hair straight and then went into the kitchen making coffee, eggs, and toast for Hennery, I felt shitty making him get up that early anyways.

I walked outside to feel how cold it was and oh hell no I was not going out there like this, even in my warmest sweater. I snuck back into my room and stole Paul’s leather jacket.

“I love you, see you later.” I whispered to Paul kissing him on the cheek.

I walked outside once I heard Hennery beeping his car horn. I brought out his breakfast and both of our coffees into the car.

“G’morning” I chirped stepping into the warm car “I made you breakfast” I tell him hanging, him the food.

“Awh. Thank you Emily. You didn’t have to.” He told me, putting the wrapped food beside the drivers seat. “I’ll eat it while you wait for Dona” He told me before starting the car and then turning on the music. Hennery’s in his late 40s, he has black hair, but it’s graying on the sides. He’s almost 6’2 and we occasionally use him as a body guard.

“I love this tape” Hennery tells me, signaling towards the radio. We pass the hour by talking about music and our memories, whether it be with the boys, Dona or our families.

“Here we are Emily” Hennery tells me pulling into a parking place.

“I’ll try to be back soon. I can’t make any promises though.” I told him with a big grin as I shut my door. I waited for awhile, the train get held back, so it actually wouldn’t be in till 8am, which was good because we actually were pretty late, arriving at 8:45. I waited at the gate with the others waiting for their loved ones to return back home. At 9 o’clock sharp the train pulled in.

“Dona?” I asked loudly and saw my best friend turn around, we ran to each other full speed.

“Emily!” She cried as we finally caught each other in a long hug. Dona and I must have been an odd pair, her hair was cut like mine, with some side bangs, but them being long enough to put into a pony tale, Dona’s hair was right the bottom of her chest, like mine only shorter. But Dona had honey brown hair and dark Kelly green eyes, she was a little taller, 5’4 maybe 5’5. Dona’s body was almost just like mine though, we even wore the same bra sizes, except she was thinner than me, which she’d always go on and on about how much she hates it and how it makes her look like a boy. I thought she was stunning though.

People would always mistaken us for twins, it was funny too because they always had thought I died my hair. We stayed there for awhile like that, until we felt long stares on our backs.

“God, I’ve missed you so so so so much.” She tells me with a bright smile. Dona’s smile could light up all over Liverpool, I love them.

“I’ve missed you so very much too!” I tell her, as we pick up her dropped suitcases and bring them out to Hennery and the car.

“Hennery, I’d like you to meet my best friend Dona, Dona this is Hennery, a person who I’ve grown to love.” I told them, after we got into the car.

“Ah Hennery, you must be special. Emily here hates everyone.” Dona says with a laugh, dropping hands after shaking Hennery’s.

“Shuddup!” I say to her laughing. I’m so glad to have my best friend with me, I think I’ve been spending way to much time with the guys and I really needed to rekindle my friendship and just girly nature.

Dona had been caught up on what’s going on with George, Paul and the rest of boys, by me.

“So are you excited to meet the boys?” Hennery asked her and a huge grin spread across her face.

“Our other friend was in love with The Beatles. She got us into them. I really did like them.” She told him “But I’m no fan girl!” She added in.

An hour or so we were getting out of the car and onto the stoop. I felt around in my pockets after we waved goodbye to Hennery.

“Damn it, you forgot your keys didn’t you?” Dona asked me with a smirk, then taking a drag of her cigarette.

“I did. They should be up though, so it’s not that big of a deal.” I told her and rang the doorbell. I heard the shuffling around stop quickly. They just stood there, not moving, not coming to the door.

“JOHN!” I shouted, banging on the door. “I know you can hear me!!!!” Dona quickly started laughing at me.

“They seem like arseholes.” She told me, and then the door suddenly flew opened.

“Am I in heaven? Look at these beautiful angels.” John said, standing in the doorway, staring at Dona and I.

“You should let us in.” I told John and he snapped out of his trance like stage that Dona seemed to have him under. ’

“Of course, you guys must be freezing. I’ve got your bags don’t worry about it.” John said, moving out of the way and to pick up Dona’s suitcases.

“They’re here!” John called out, closing the door behind him with his foot. Paul come out with wet hair, jeans and momentarily putting his sweater on. Ringo came in with him wearing the same thing, but his hair was dried and his eyes were tired.

“John, Paul, Ringo, this is Dona. Dona this is Ringo, Paul and John.” I told her pointing towards each of them as we still stood near the doorway.

“Nice to meet you guys” she told them and started to shake John’s hand, but he pulled her into a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“The pleasures all mine.” He told Dona, I just rolled my eyes and walked towards Paul and Ringo, Dona followed me, with John trailing behind.

“Paul’s my best friend, but I make out with him.” I started to say, but Dona soon cut me off.

“We made out!!!” Dona said, acting offended, obviously joking but the boys didn’t see it.

“Really?!” Ringo said, his blue eyes, brightening with curiosity.

“It- It was a joke…” Dona told them, to which John, Paul, and Ringo mumbled a ‘damn it.’

“We heard that you swine’s!“ Dona said yelling at them, but laughing along with them.

“Where’s George?” I ask, suddenly aware of his lack of presence. He said he wanted to meet Dona with everyone, but I guess that’s not likely, anymore.

“That blokes hungover!” Ringo exclaimed humorously, making everyone laugh.

“But we didn’t drink last night…?” I said suspiciously.

“He got drunk, by heself. Said somethinnnnn’ ‘bout drinkinn’ the sadness away.” Ringo told me, very seriously and I just nodded.

“Yeah must’ve been some bird from last night.” Paul said with a humorous laugh

**Dona’s point of view**

“Uh, Dona, I can show you to your room if you’d like.” John said to me, probably wanting to flee the awkward scene as bad as I wanted to.

“Yes I would.” I told him with a smile. John was cute, but rugged, his brown-auburn hair frames his face perfectly and they match nicely with his hazel eyes, his nose interested me- even if it does sound really weird- like it’s been broken, but I wanted to draw it. John has a very nice smile, especially when he’s not smirking.

“So you live in London?” John asked, while picking my bags up and leading me past the big living/bed rooms.

“Yeah” I told him.

“What’s in London?”

“Compared to back home-here? Absolutely nothing. I’m dying to move back.” I told him, remembering what it was like to be back home again.

“Then why don’t you?” John asked me, I could feel his eyes studying me closely.

“I’m trying. I’ve just got a job in London and an uncle.”

“Ye could try working at the café Emily worked at, she just split, to come live with us, no two week notice, no nuttin’.” John told me humorously.

“I’d have no where to live, and I’m not guaranteed a job.” I told him seriously, after laughing because I could imagine Emily doing that.

“Ye’ll figure somethinnnnn’ out.” He told me, before showing me to a door and opening it.

“This is your room madam.” John said in a fake posh accent and it made me giggle-weird, I don’t giggle. The room was beautiful. It had light blue walls, a canopy bed, that reminded me of a princess bed. The woods were wooden, there was a desk, closet and a little sitting area, with an attached bathroom.

“Wow. It’s beautiful.” I said looking at it and walking over to the bed. John just stood in the doorway.

“Yes you are. Oh, wait we’re talking about the room. Yes, Ringo’s mom helped design it.” John told me, a blush heating my cheeks up. What the hell is going on I don’t blush.

“D-did you just call me beautiful?” I asked him, suddenly self-conscious, with a nervous feeling in my stomach.

“I just call it how I see it, love.” John told me, a smirk daring to play upon his face. See he said love, that means he does this with every girl, doesn’t it? I don’t even want to be caught with another bad guy, I might actually refuse.

“Does it matter if I smoke in here?” I asked, thinking that maybe a nice fag would cool my nervous.

“Nope, it doesn’t. Ye can smoke almost anywhere. Here’s an ashtray.” John told me, then setting my bags by the door, closing the door with his leg somewhat and picking up the ashtray on the desk, before coming over and sitting beside me on the bed.

“So, how long do you plan on staying?” John asked me, almost seeming shy to be around me, I picked up my lighter and lit the cigarette.

“Well, what’s today?”

“The 21st ”

“Hm, well however long till you get bored of me.” I tell him with a smirk on my face.

“So you’ll stay forever then?” He asked me, and I couldn’t tell whether he was being serious or not. ‘

“Whatever you say, Lennon.” I told him, and grinned in satisfaction as I heard his groan and lay down on his back.

“Don’t tell me Emily, told ye that bloody awful thing to call me.” he said, I put my cigarette out and laid down next to him, making sure to keep my distance.

“No. Why do you not like it?” I ask him, then he turns on his side so he’s facing me, but I keep my face staring at the ceiling.

“I’m tellinnn’ ye, it’s bloody awful.” He said, trying to make his voice sound disgusted, but it actually made him sound as if he’d laugh any second.

“Then I’ll call ye that!” I said, turning on my side to face him, I bopped my finger on his nose and laughed at him. John suddenly looked at me seriously, in the way where you could tell he’s deciding to kiss you or not.

“Emily and the boys must be looking for us. Shall we go?” I ask, sitting up right and then hopping off the bed. John just chuckled at me and trailed behind before I waited at the door for him to catch up.

Ringo, Paul, and Emily have moved into the kitchen, Emily was making them tea as John and I walk it.

“Hey Dona.” Emily chirp to me, as I was the first one to walk in.

“Have any of ye guys checked on George?” John asked, walking in and grabbing an apple.

“No. None of us would know how to help ‘em.” Paul said, still sitting at the stool with Ringo, John standing beside of them.

“Except…” Ringo began, with a wicked smile on his face.

“Are you suggesting me and Dona?” Emily ask, and all three of them nod there heads in sync. Which was a very funny sight

“Of course it’s always the girls cooking and cleaning and taking care of sick people, but yeah of course we’ll check on him. Make sure we bring tea.” I said to everyone, faking anger, then laughing. Emily started to pour the tea into a pot and brought three cups, handing it to me on a tray.

“See ya!” We call out together as, she opens the swing door for me and she follows right behind.

“Georgie, wake up it‘s almost 11.” Emily whispers to George, who’s laying in bed, strewn all over the place. There’s broken glass bottles on the floor and balled up paper. I sit the try down and comes standing behind her. “George, you’re going to have to wake up.” she tells him again, shaking his shoulders.

“Leave me alone Ringo.” George muttered turning on his side, not even opening his eyes once

“Think again, not Ringo.” Emily tells him and he turns back over to face her, I watch as Emily’s face drops once she looks into his eyes

“What’re you doing here?” George asked Emily bitterly.

“I-um-we wanted to make sure you were ok.” She tells him, and I can see her face getting hot, I don’t know whether she’s embarrassed or about to cry, but either way this couldn’t be good. Emily told me all about what happened between her and George, but I guess now that he’s really messed up, he’ll regret everything he’s saying

“You don’t care. I know you don’t. You just like to play these silly fucking games with me and I hate it. I can’t love anyone else, because I love you. And you can’t love me, because you love my best friend. How fucked up is that?” George slurs and spit’s the words at Emily, he’s easily visible to be drunk, but that didn’t mean those words didn’t sting and I could tell him much of a slap to the face it was to Emily. I knew George was sweet, based off of everything Emily told me, I felt useless just standing there

“I-I do care.” She told him, I could see tears stirring in her eyes but she shut them quickly, not going to let George have his way.

“Don’t give me that fooking bullshit!” George slurs while yelling at her, Emily got up quickly making sure not to trip, and ran with tears in her eyes. George’s face softened quickly.

“Who’re you?” George slurred to me, but it didn’t sound much of a question, just a bitchy remark.

“Me? Oh, I’m just Emily’s fucking best friend. And I think you should just know, she does actually care, she’s confused. Emily wanted to give you a chance! But you think that’ll happen now that you made her cry. Maybe I did just meet you, but the way you look now is pathetic. I don’t care who you are, or who you think you are. Do not make any girl cry, especially me best friend. I don’t know what she would see in you.” I told him, and turned on my heel to walk out before I remembered the pill in my pocket for him “Oh and here, for your fucking headache.” I told him, snapping my body around, throwing the pack of pill and slamming the door shut, unlike Emily who closed it softly.

I don’t like people, at all. Emily and I don’t, that’s how we bonded I think, our hatred for people. See, in high school Emily and I were pretty popular, but we had to split our weekends between going out and listening to music, reading, and being alone or together. But once Emily’s dad got sick we stayed in more a lot often, people understood it too, neither of us were very social after his death, we stayed home a lot smoking and drinking, so it takes a lot for her to be here or even be friends with a world wide band.

I needed to find her, she was crying for sure. I hated crying, I can’t stand to look weak and it became that way for the both of us after his death. We have a lot in common, but so much not in common. I checked every door down the hallway before I found hers.

“Emily.” I breathed out, relived. She just laid on her bed, motionless, sniffling in response.

“Are you okay?” I asked her, walking over and lying down on the bed with her.

“I-I d-don’t know.” She told me, I just nodded and did what I would always do, wrap my arms around her, she flinched at first, but relaxed soon, and did her next move to which she put her head into my chest. I could feel, the warm salt water coat my sweater in one spot.

“Shhh, it’ll be okay.” I told her softly, rubbing her back. We must have fallen asleep because later around 3ish, I woke up to Paul and John whispering and snickering, Ringo held his camera were John told him to, I heard the first shudder go off, with a flash of light and before the second one I looked up and glared at them, Ringo capturing me like that.

“How was yer lil nap?” Ringo asked, making the other boys snicker.

“Ay, darlin’ anytime ye want someone to cuddle with yer man’s right ‘ere.” John told me, in a flirty voice, I just blushed at the thought. I hate John , I hate you so much. Stop, stop, stop, making me blush.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I told him, with a sleepy smirk, in the best flirty voice I could do at the moment. “Emily, wake up” I said, keeping in mind that I had me best friend sleeping on my chest.

“Shudddup Paul” She groaned and twisted around. Everyone started laugh and her eyes burst open. “I hate you all” she groaned again and sat up.

“What time is it?” I asked sitting up, yawning and stretching, John plopped down beside of me, fidgeting with his hands a bit.

“It’s almost four.” John said, smiling down at me, I felt small, very small around him and I couldn’t imagine how Emily felt.

“Emily did ye have anything planned to do today?” Paul asked her, and she looked at me suddenly and swallowed hard.

“I… wanted to go see my father.” She told Paul softly, but everyone was silent, so we all heard. “Dona was going to come with me. But I don’t know if you wanted to come, or if anyone else did, I didn’t really ask.” She told him, looking over at me, as if asking if it’d be okay if they did come, I nodded my head ‘yes’.

“I’ll come, I mean if Paul goes.” John said, looking at me as he put an arm around me lightly and then lightly pulled me close.

“It’s tomorrow Emily, today’s only the 21st right? We’re going on the 22nd… like always right?” I asked her confused about the date and everything else.

“Yeah we do it on the 22nd. Is today the 21st? Emily asked and she looks up to Paul and Ringo.

“Today’s the 21st.” Ringo tells her and she nods her head.

“Okay so never mind that’s tomorrow.” Emily says looking at me and smirking at John and I, ugh. No. Don’t do this to me Emily.

“Well th-” Paul begins to say, clapping his hands together.

“Uh, Paul how ‘bout we continue this conversation out there.” John tells him, and he nods, Paul, Ringo and Emily all leave and I start to get up, but John pulls me back tenderly.

“I, um, I want to ask ye somethinnnn’” John says, stumbling on his words and I can’t help but see how adorable he is.

“Well then go for it” I tell him, softly but with a smile playing on my face.

“Look, I knew ye just think I’m some bloke that Emily’s friends with and who rushes into things. I do, but I need to ask ye. W-wan. Would ye fancy going out to dinner with me? I think yer beautiful, and I want to know ye more.” John says, stumbling over his words, which seemed very out of place for THE John Lennon, I smiled at him, his eyes big, looking down at me.

“Like a date?” I ask, feeling pins in my stomach, nervous, but in a nice surprised kind of way that I haven’t felt in a while.

“Like a date.” He says “So what do ye say?” John curious eyes searching for the answer, which I feel as if came out to quickly.

“Of course.” I tell him with a smile and his face is taking up by his huge smile.

“Well, let’s get outa here, they’re probably worryin’” John tells me while a smile and a small chuckle. I start to lean to the other side, but he pulls me, holding my hand to walk with him.

“What time?” I ask him, as we reach her bedroom door.

“Six-thirty-five.” He told me, still a smile spread across his face.

“I’ll be there.” I told him with a laugh, because I’m staying here.

“I’ll try not to get lost, or stuck in traffic. But ye never know, I could be waiting for an hour, waiting for Paulie to comb his hair perfectly.” He tells me and we both laugh really hard about this. We walk into the living room and everyone just looks up and over at us, starring.

“Um, hi.” I say awkwardly, letting go of John’s hand quickly.

“Ay John, me and Ringo wanted to show you a song, come help, eh, will ye?” Paul asked, signaling towards the hallway we just came down.

“Sure, I just got some inspiration meself” John said with a smile, looking at me.

“Go ahead, I’m gonna spend some time with Emily.” I tell him, walking towards the couch that Paul and Ringo had just gotten off of.

“SO HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?!” Emily said after the boys had left and with bright eyes, I couldn’t play dumb but I wondered how she already knew.

“H-how’d you know..?” I asked quietly, a blush coating my cheeks.

“John told Paul. Paul told me. Have I told you we’re thinking about renaming Paul McCartney to Paul McChatty?” She told me and we both laughed.

“Ah, Paul McCatty does seem to fit.”

“Anyways! What did he say, what did you say??? Should I help you pick out something to wear?” Emily asked with a big smile, see it’s me who would say this usually, but I guess by being with guys all the time, your girly side shows a lot more.

“He asked me out tonight, at six-thirty-five. And I said yes.” I told her “And oh yeah, it’d be awesome for you to help me pick something out.”

“That’s awesome! Let’s get goin’ then?”

“Alri’ alri’” I tell her and we get up, her leading me to the room we were just in. Emily shut the door behind us and looked at me

“Well, just watch out.” She told me with cautious eyes, walking towards her dresser. “For John I mean, I don’t know his attentions on this date, but I think me beating up Paul’s best friend could put a damper on our relationship.”

“I can handle myself, I wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t ready.”

“Well, you know with Ma-”

“No” I tell her, cutting her off momentarily. “That’s not important or relivant, and it’ll never be. Okay? Let’s burry it, I have.”

“Yes.” She said quietly, turning back to the dresser

“I’m sorry for snapping at you”

“N-No it’s fine.” She tells me with a laugh, “I shouldn’t have even mentioned it. Well, anyways, do you know where he’s taking you?”

“I don’t think anywhere fancy. Just dinner, so don’t make me wear a dress!” I told her laughing.

At six-thirty I was ready. I kept my hair straight, but I wore a nicer looking sweater, boots and black jeans. At exactly six-thirty-five John knocked at my door, I had been sitting on the bed with Emily talking about him actually.

“Come in.” Emily yelled before I could get up, John came strutting in with a blue button up and jeans, I was relived I wasn’t underdressed.

“Are you ready love?” John asked me, flashing a smile.

“I sure am.” I told him.

“Wait let me get a picture!” Emily said, hoping off the bed to her camera. John and I stood together, his arm wrapped around my waist, smiling down at me, the next one, I looked up to smile at him.

“We’re done!” I shouted, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks from looking into his beautiful hazel eyes too much.

“Don’t wait up!” John called, rushing out of my bedroom door with my hand in his. We successfully got to the front door of the house without any one stopping us. John took his keys off the key ring and led me to the car, opening the car door and closing it behind me.

“Ye know you look great.” He told me, once I looked into the mirror and a blush flew to my cheeks, I cannot tell yet whether I like this feeling.

“Thanks.” I told him slumping down in the nice seats of his own car, then he started the engine “So where are we going?”

“First out to dinner” John told me. A while after driving, we arrived at this pretty nice café. The lighting was dim, and he already had reservations under ’Harrison’ which made me laugh harder than it should have. The waitress had our food and wine already picked out before we even sat down.

“So do you bring a lot of girls here? Or did Emily just tell you what I liked and you called ahead?” I asked him, a smile playing on my face as I looked across at him.

“Me aunt, is the only girl who’s ever been ’ere with me.” John told me, looking at his hands and then sipping his wine.

“Well, I’m honored.” I tell him, his face turning into an emotion, I couldn’t read, maybe shocked, maybe happiness. After dinner John took me out to a rock club. Where we drank and which he danced with me to almost every song, whether it was fast or slow.

“I’m having a great time.” I tell him, it’s late but I can’t tell what the time is, we’re dancing to a slow song, probably the sixth one this hour, that means it’s getting late.

“I’m glad you are, so am I” John tells me, pulling me closer. “You look so lovely, I couldn’t resist taking you out, getting to know you. To see if I actually liked you. And I do, I really do. Would you like to come out some other time, also?”

“Of course John. Of course I’d love too.”

“Great.” He tells me, the song ends and he leads me to the bar area. “It’s getting late. I’m sure you’re about to past out.” He says and I nod my head sleepily, grabbing my hand and leading me to the doors “Come ‘ed then”

We got home late, John and I snuck through the house quietly. I didn’t invite John in but rather let him kiss me on the cheek, telling me that he’ll see me tomorrow. And I couldn’t wait. I fell asleep quickly, thinking of John and tomorrow.

**Emily’s Point Of View**

John and Dona had just left, I sighed happily and went to my room. Paul and Ringo said they’d be working on songs for some of today. I sat on my bed, deciding to read, and then I felt it under me, it was stiff and smooth, I pulled it from under my pillow. The half unwrapped paper was still around it and my mind set back into a flash back of the night when George gave it to me. I glared at it, wanting to through it across the room, but then my neck burned, where the sun still was. I couldn’t resist, I opened the paper and looked at the plain cover, I smoothed my hand over it, and opened it. Inside, on all of the pages there were poems, pictures, letters or short stories written. The first one read

“Emily, I hope you did as I asked and you’re alone while reading this. I don’t know what to say or think anymore, because my mind has been crowded with pictures of you. Sometimes, you make me want to kill either myself or you, but don’t worry those feelings don’t come often. But the ones where I want to kiss you over and over or hold you in my arms or just be able to love you like Paul is able to, those come WAY to often. This book is only a small portion of what I think about when I hear your name, or see you, or anything really. And like Romeo said to Juliet, you are my sun, I won’t swear my love for you- just confess it, you’re the rose: no matter what I call you, you’ll always smell as sweet. There’s good and bad in everyone and having to much of a good thing could turn it into poison, but I could never see that happening with you, more of alcohol, or Ringo, Paul, and John. Okay I’m done with the Romeo and Juliet references, but I love you darling, no matter how much I deny it.”

Wow, I thought while reading that. Did you hear it? That’s the sound of my heart breaking. I cried for awhile, but I got over it thinking about Paul and how it’s useless to cry over someone, especially when I have someone who has treated me a lot better and didn’t say horrible things to me.

Paul later came into my room that night.

“Hello love” Paul said to me, opening and closing the door.

“Hiya.” I said, he reached the bed and sat beside of me.

“What’re ye reading?” Paul asked, grabbing the book from my grip gently, looking at it and then throwing it beside of the bed on the night stand

“Paul-” I began to say, giggling and pouting a bit. I actually had wished for him to come in, due to the boring book. And before I could say anything else, he pulled my face to him, and I pulled him closer.

“It’s already 11:30?” He asked, after a while of kissing.

“Really? Have John and Dona came in then?” I asked and he shhh’d me.

“Is that them?” I whispered

“I think” he whispered back with a small chuckle. We stayed quiet and still, listening to them talk loudly, after tiptoeing through the house, which wasn't helpful with John’s big feet and Dona’s giggling. After they had gone to bed, we decided it’s about that time. We got under the covers and he pulled me closer. I fell asleep quickly, like I have been lately with Paul by my side.