How to Change the World

Chapter 16

With a new job offer, Linda began taking photos of the Beatles after they came together again. Those images were filled with moments of laughter and joy for the time. It could not be more far from the truth for two of them.

"You two alright?" George whispered to the side as they were posing for a photo. He was referring to John and Paul, whose attitudes changed when they came to the top of the stairs.

"We're fine," Paul murmured to the side.

The two tense men exchanged looks, every connection of sight being as unnerving as the last. There was an unfinished thought in their looks, their eyes telling trying to tell the other a message. What did the other one think? What was going to happen?

The evening was exhausting, leaving the boys' lips sore from the incessant smiles that were demanded of them. When the later hours began to creep up on them, they were compelled to leave, given how much a party could tire a person. George was the first to retreat, the lucky bastard. People began to clear out slowly, and soon Ringo was gone as well. John and Paul were encouraged to stay later, as they were seen as the "head" of the band, but they wanted to leave just as desperately as the rest of them.

Soon the ambience of the crowd turned into individual conversations. As the place became noticeably emptier than it was initially, John and Paul gave one another a glance from across the room. Paul tilted his head to the side, expressing his desire to leave.

Paul walked to Brian, followed by John.

"Brian, I think I'll be heading out now. Great party, though," Paul said, trying to quicken the interaction.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, that's perfectly alright," Brian said politely.

"Yeah me too," John said, appearing from behind Paul. "I'm all partied out."

"Well I'll see you boys later, alright?" he said, "Have a nice evening."

The two leaving members began to say goodbye to their friends and acquaintances, feeling as if the word "goodbye" was nothing but a empty gesture. They exited the house together, leaving the two of them doorsteps alone, wondering what their next move would be. The darkness engulfed them, their communicative looks meaning nothing now.

Paul smiled at him, but it was undetectable to his counterpart. All John felt is when Paul grabbed his wrist, pulling him away with a playful tug. He was led into Paul's car, and sat in the back with the owner. There was a driver in the front, smiling and ready for service.

"Take us home," Paul said, as if he were trying to hurry the driver.

"Yes, Mr. McCartney."

There was still confusion as to what Paul's intentions were, but John tried to push those thoughts to the edge of his mind. There were still things they needed to say to each other, things they needed to do, but John played along with Paul's sudden burst of impulse.

After being lost in thought, his self awareness was present again when he felt Paul's hand hold his own.

Since Paul's house was nearby, it took less than ten minutes to arrive. But their anticipation was evident when the driver opened the door to the two men rushing out to the front door. After a fumble with the keys, they were inside, alone at last. Paul turned on the light so he could see John's face in more detail.

They paused for a second, looking at each other, trying to absorb the other's thoughts. They could talk, they could argue, they could do a lot of things. But it felt as if there were some sort of spell, grabbing a hold of them, pulling them together. This was only confirmed when suddenly Paul grabbed his collar, kissing him harshly, indulging in every second. He pushed John onto the couch, kissing every part of his mouth, trying to feel anything he hadn't felt. Their bodies tangled together in a mess of limbs, rubbing and creating an exciting friction.