𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 (𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴)

❛❛chapter thirty-four: jingle bell rock❜❜

❧December 25, 1963☙

Christmastime was here, yet she still seemed so glum. I knew she had finally had some fun the other day, but it didn't seem to change her anguish. She watched out the car window with the same solemn face; Eyes filled with boredom, brows knit together, and a slight pout on her rosy lips. Her skin was glowing like an angel, which only complimented her outfit. Speaking of which, she had on a silky white dress under her long red cashmere coat, the one with fur on the collar and big round buttons. She had on pearls, gloves, and white Mary Janes on to match. A rather looker she was. Her perky red nose sniffled sporadically as she wiped her face. 

"You alright, Liza?" Paul looked back at her.

She looked up from the window. Her eyebrows were raised in surprise. She'd seemed to have snapped out of her own thoughts. She blinked a few times and then scratched behind her ear.

She answered, "Yeah, I'm sound."

I noticed that her voice sounded weak. That was because she was off thinking about Isaiah again. Everyone knew this was his favorite time of the year, and he wasn't able to experience it. She was probably imagining that and becoming more depressed. Hell, it is depressing to me too. I hated that she was miserable on such a day. It was Christmas, but she didn't seem to care. She didn't seem to care about anything, for that matter. 

Richie started talking, "This will just be a relaxed party, not knees-up. I mean, unless you want to cut a rug. You can probably just sit somewhere, y'know?"

We had been invited to Billy J Kramer's Christmas do, so Paul ruled over that we'd go. I wasn't opposed, just as long as there was going to be music and drinks. I was a bit worried it would be too much for Lizzie. I know being sad around happy people can get draining because you have to put-on. 

"Yeah, but we'll probably dance, won't we, boys?" George grinned.

We'd see about that. I didn't want her to be lonely at a party with people she didn't really know. 

❧Elizabeth POV☙

Christ, I hate crowds. Well, that's not typically true, but as of now, it was. I couldn't catch a break! Girls came over to me and sat down. They wanted to know about the lads and if I quit modeling. 

"I mean, I'm sure it gets borin'!"

"Mhm, haven't you heard about how cut-throat the industry is?"

"Yeah, I know! It's nutters!"

"Honestly, how did you ever deal with it?"

"You must be so strong!"

"I know I would've blubbed!"

"You probably wanted to go mad!"

I was going mad right now.

I finally spoke, "It really wasn't all that crappy. I had a lovely manager."

"Ahh, I guess some people are fortunate enough for such."

"Real shame that."

"It is, isn't it?"

"Hey, which one is John?"

"He's the one in the red collared shirt!"

"No, ye twit, he's the one in the blue."

"I think he's rather cute. I wonder if he's single."

"I think Paul is cuter."

"Oh! Do tell us, aren't you datin' Paul?"