Strawberry Fields Forever

Chapter 2

Effies pov:
I woke up in my bedroom still trying to get used to my new surroundings, i began to think of my mother and how she would be over the moon that I'm back in Liverpool. She loved Liverpool dearly, i start pulling out my journal that i kept under my mattress. Before i even think about writing i needed to take a shower, after the shower i start getting dressed and head back over to my mattress but before i sit down i see someone walk past my window. I headed over to the window and looked out, as my bedroom is downstairs i see straight into the alleyway that connects our house to the neighbours. I see three lads heading into the house but one of them felt me staring as he turned his head to look me straight in the eyes, we held eye contact. I couldn't help but feel like I've seen him somewhere and i can tell he recognises me too. I sent him a hesitant wave and he began heading over to the front door, i was flooded with panic, i heard a chap at the door. I hesitate before opening it, before i could even blink he wraps his arms around me and I froze.

"Effie?" He says while keeping his arms tightly hugging me, I've never been so confused and also scared at the same time. I pushed him off me and gave him a confused facial expression. "How do you know my name and who are you?" I said in a demanding tone, i can tell he was surprised at my harsh tone but then he walked right past me into the house and sat on the couch. I follow him to the couch and was about to tell him to get out but he bet me to it "Its me, Paul, I thought ye recognised me, love". As if all at once my childhood memories of me being in Liverpool came flooding back and i rush over to hug him, just like he did to me. "PAUL!" I screamed in his ear and we both started laughing. "Y'know i never I'd ever see ye again, love" he said as i pulled back to look at his face, I couldn't believe my childhood best friend is sitting right in front of me at this exact moment in time. "You've not changed one bit, lamb" i said staring right at him as we both erupted into another fit of laughter. We started talking about what we've been doing since the last time we saw each other, I found out that Paul's mother had also passed away when he was fourteen, i gave my condolences for him, his father and his brother mike. Paul's mother was like a second mother to me as she and my mother were very close friends. Paul tells me he's in a band called the Beatles now and apparently they are quite popular, i had always imagined Paul being successful when we grew up. Paul instantly wanted me to meet his band because when he mentioned me from his childhood, the band would take the mickey out of him as they believe i was a imaginary friend.

After we had been laughing together for a couple of hours, Paul started to stand up while dragging me up with him and pulling me into another hug. While we were still hugging, Paul, being taller than me, decided he was going to walk over to the door while still embracing me and I tried to get out of the hug as he began opening the door. He had pushed us both outside and closed the door behind us. "Paul? What are you doing?" I asked looking confused. "Oh y'know, I thought you would want to come meet me bandmates." He said with a grin. I looked at my watch and realised my uncle will be home soon from work soon. "Paul i would love to meet your bandmates-" He cut me off with a cheery voice. "Well, come on then!" He said taking my arm to drag me again. I pulled my arm back and continued my sentence. "BUT I'm scared i can't tonight, lamb." He looked at me and encouraged me to say why. "Well my uncles getting back from work soon and I'm bloody freezing out here." He nodded his head. "But you know where i live, lamb, you could show me 'round Liverpool" i said with a gentle smile. "Of course! Y'know I've really missed ye Effie." He said smiling down at me. "Ive missed you too, Paulie, you should really get going home its nearly for your tea." I said wrapping him in one final hug. "Ill come pick ye up tomorrow, love." And with that, we both pulled away, he send me a wee wave as he headed back to, which i presume, is his front door as he was beginning to walk in. He looked back at me and shot me a smile then he proceeded to enter his house. I turned around and walked through the door to the new house, I made my way to my bedroom and jumped on my bed, looking up to the ceiling with a massive smile on my face.

I was woken up by the sound of the front door shutting, its now fully dark outside and i checked my watch it was only six o'clock. I must have accidentally fell asleep for a hour, i soon got up and walked out of my room to see my uncle. When i entered the living room i saw my uncle sitting on the couch and starring at a wall. I went over toward him with a skip, i sat down next to him and gave him a grin. He looked away from the wall when he noticed my presence, i could tell something was wrong with him as i asked "How was your first day at the new job?" He turned to face me. "I need to go back to Scotland." He said with a dowie look in his eyes. Saying that i was devastated was a understatement, i had just met my childhood best friend and I felt like i was closer to my mother just in a few hours of being in Liverpool. But what my uncle said next I couldn't help but feel the sense of relief and also panic. "You can stay here if you like, i know that we've only been here for a day but i know for sure that you will be more happy living here." He looked me in the eyes. "I need to sell this house in order for me to get back to Scotland, i will be leaving next week and you'll need to find a flat. You're twenty now, Effie, its time you become more independent and I'm sorry for putting you in this difficult position." I really didn't know what to think, how would i get a flat within a week? How will i even survive on my own? I know i had enough money to last me at least a month. As i was thinking a sudden idea intruded into my head, i know that i can't just rely on people but i have to at least ask.

Word count: 1227