The Book of Classic Rock Things

In spite of all that may be - the beatles Pt. 2

Ah I see I've got you hooked ;)

Warnings: fluff, some angst, cursing, a few little details I changed for the story

Summary: Frankie is afraid of seeing John when she attends his mothers' funeral, knowing only to expect the unexpected.

••••••

Frankie swallowed hard, standing outside the house she had been dreading to enter for weeks. Frankie hated herself for avoiding it. But especially for avoiding John.

Frankie took a deep breath, almost looking down to pick up her guitar case that wasn't there. Paul had told her to bring it, but she just couldn't. It didn't feel right to play at such an event. Frankie instead stuffed her hands in her black over coat pockets and headed up the steps, knocking on the door.

The mood inside was a somber one. Of course, that of one you'd expect at a literal ceremony of death. Frankie almost held her breath, feeling the urge to cry.

God damnit don't be a selfish crybaby.

Mimi immediately took her arm, smiling sadly at the girl as she led her to the room where the boys were at. Nerves suddenly took over Frankie, worried John would be mad at her, or that Paul would be upset that she didn't bring her guitar. She just wanted everything to be okay.

Oh my god I'm sorry. Frankie kept her head down as she was led into the room. She looked up a quick moment when Mimi announced her arrival, trying to smile at the boys.

"Frankie dear," Paul grinned softly, coming up to pull her into a gentle side hug. "Hi Macca," she responded quietly. "Hello everyone... hi John." She internally scolded herself, bringing down her eye line to her shoes. "Hiya Fannie," the sound of that stupid nickname John always called Frankie made her head pop up. He smiled at her, even though she could tell it was fake, she still smiled back at him solemnly.

Frankie urgently wanted to hug him close when she knew he wasn't ignoring her too. I mean, he called her by his nickname that was only for her. As much as Frankie wanted to, she didn't, instead returning her gaze to Paul, who was giving her a look.

She avoided him, smiling at some of Johns other friends in the room that she recognized. George walked up next to Paul, clearing his throat as he held up his guitar. Frankie shook her head at the two, not wanting to play here, she didn't want to upset John.

Paul quickly ushered her out of the room. "Frankie we already told Mimi we would." Frankie gritted her teeth. "Do you really think this is the time or place to play a song we wrote for John about his own mother who just died?" Frankie strained her voice, trying not to yell. "Well, It's too late now. You can borrow John's guitar." George said as Mimi came up behind them, smiling stiffly before she announced what the three of the four band mates were doing. "A song of dedication," she called it.

Frankie internally face palmed as the boys put their guitar straps on. "Um, well, this song was written by our own Frankie. We all thought it would be appropriate to play for this occasion as Frankie has especially written this for it." Paul announced awkwardly to the small crowd. Frankie couldn't spot John, and she was deeply glad she couldn't as her face was a crimson color and she did not want to see his expression when he found out they had written a supposed heart break song about him.

"Take it away," Paul said, sitting on a stool between the three guitarists, staring at Frankie. Frankie swallowed, before softly starting to pluck her guitar, the other three joining in.
Frankie glanced at Paul and George, before shyly beginning to sing.

Frankie's voice soon became more smooth as she grew comfortable and began to melt into her playing, trying to forget the moody crowd in front of her.

In spite of all the heartache that you may cause me
I'll do anything for you, anything you want me to
If you'll be true to me

Frankie opened her mouth to sing the next chorus when she heard footsteps storm into the room, with what could only be John. "This isn't fucking band practice!" He growled, yanking Paul's guitar out of his hand. "John-" Paul started. "No. Mum is gone and you're singing like it's a bloody party." John spat, looking directly at Frankie. "Get the fuck out. All of you." He shouted, turning to dash out the front door. "John wait-" Paul called after him, before he ran to after the boy.

Frankie bit back tears, putting her guitar down and rushing into the reading room, where she found herself thankfully alone. For the first time in a long time, Frankie let out a desperate sob as she leaned herself against a bookshelf, hiding her face away from the doorway. Lord, even at a time like this she wouldn't let people know she was crying, and this was supposed to be a bloody funeral. That's what people did at these. Cry. Maybe Frankie's dad deserved a funeral. Finally burying that horrible time in her life. Frankie covered her mouth, suppressing anymore sobs from coming out. Telling herself to breathe.

"Fannie?" Oh that stupid bloody nickname that she loved so god damn much. Frankie whipped around, surprised. She quickly wiped her face clean, looking up to see John's tear-stained face. Her heart broke even more. John opened his mouth to say something before he closed it and rushed forward, crushing Frankie in a hug that she immediately returned. The two friends immediately started sobbing. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," John murmured into her shoulder, as she just shook her head. "I'm sorry I didn't even try see you, I'm sorry I'm so selfish," she sputtered, cupping his face as they pulled apart.

"I wasn't thinking...w-we shouldn't have wrote that song without you anyway," she swallowed hard as his eyebrows furrowed. "No, I-I loved it. I think that's why I got angry. It was sadness more than anything. The morbid thought that I was just getting to know my mum and now she's gone. I would do anything to get her back now...I can't, I know that, but I think she's letting me know, that even though I lost her, I haven't lost you." John squeezed Frankie's hand. "Oh god and I almost screwed that up too," he choked, kissing Frankie's forehead.

"Jesus John and I thought you were going to come in here and tell me you never wanted to see me again," Frankie chuckled, sniffling. "Never," John whispered. Frankie looked behind John to see Paul grinning at the two, tears in his own eyes. "Now I realize, I'm not the only one whose gone through this," John said tearfully and he pulled Paul into a hug. "I'm sorry mate." Paul muttered a "me too," and Frankie bit her lip before joining the hug. "George get yer arse in here, the band is having a moment," John yelled, making his friends chuckle. George appeared around the corner with red eyes and quickly joined when he saw his best friends in front of him nestled in a group hug. "Hell we're too old for this shit," John murmered making them all chuckle as they pulled apart. "Cmon let's go give them a show. We're the fucking quarrymen." They all silently cheered as they filed into the living room.

"Hey! Before you go," Frankie began as they boys turned to look at her curiously. "I think we should start a routinely group hug once every band practice," she smirked. The band laughed, before John responded, "I second that."