Michelle

If I Needed Someone

I genuinely missed learning nothing in French. It upset me that Paul felt nothing for me. It was like an infinite void of emptiness I felt inside.

During the time he'd spent ignoring me in class, I began ruminating over our day down in Penny Lane. How happy I'd felt just being with Paul. How I'd taken it for granted, constantly pushing him away, and keeping him out. Then when he'd taken me to Greenbank, plain and purely to please me; to cheer me up when I was feeling down.
The happy memories saddened me, for now I longed for his smile, and for his doe eyes to look into mine once more.
Our friendship had been tarnished in only a matter of days, and all because of Lizzie. To think, that the boy who gave me such a compassionate and adoring hug that very morning, was sat right beside me, completely ignoring my presence.

As soon as the bell rang for end of school, I bolted from the classroom. It felt like the first day of school again.
Sadly, this time, I carelessly ran straight into John's impenetrable chest before even making out of the doorway.

"Shellie!" He smiled, embracing me in a purposeful, insensitive hug as though to mock Paul.

"Not now John." I barked, shoving past him, tears welling in my eyes, desperately trying to escape another hellish day of school. Home was where I wanted to be.

Before making it any further out of school, I felt a pair of freezing hands grab my waist, pulling me closer.

"John I already told you I-" I began, struggling to break free from the secure grip.

To my surprise, it was neither John, nor Paul, which was both a relief and a disappointment.

"You're brave for putting up with her like this you know?" Said George, releasing me from his grasp having finally relaxed. "You must really love him if you're dealing with it all for his sake."

"But how did you-" I began, before loosing the ability to speak, due to sheer astonishment.

He smiled at me, beginning to chuckle.

"I know things." He said earnestly, shrugging his shoulders with not a care. "I may be the quiet one, but I know a thing or two."

"And what sort of things do you know?" I smiled deviously, challenging his knowledge.

He pulled me aside, rearing me closer, his eyes scanning the halls for eavesdroppers.

"I know that Lizzie is not what Paul thinks her to be." He whispered.

I was overwhelmed with relief to know I wasn't on my own here. That somebody else could actually see through her little act, see her for what she really was.

"That girl has got the devil in her heart." He continued, his voice faltering from agitation. "I just wish Paul could see through her plastered smile and bubbly surface."

Suddenly, Paul and John passed us from the other end of the hallway. John waved scornfully, cackling and sniggering as he passed, whereas Paul continued to talk to him, pretending not to notice us, almost crushing me inside.

"Georgie!" Called John tauntingly. "C'mon!"

"I'll be just a minute!" George called back.

As John and Paul left to wait for George outside, George took whatever chance was left to whisper some advice in my ear.

"You're just as cunning as her." He breathed, reassuringly in my ear. "Lizzie is nothing to be afraid of, so don't let her push you around, you got that?."

"I won't." I peeped, looking up, into his deep, honey-brown eyes.

"And know, that if you're hurting, or have any problems, you can always talk to me." He smiled, his palms cupped on my shoulders reassuringly.

I nodded, before he gave me an endearing hug. Though it wasn't as satisfying as my previous hug with Paul, it felt pleasurable to feel cared for, especially after the feeling of rejection I'd brought upon myself.

"Well I'd best get going then." He beamed. "But I suppose the least I could do to comfort you is walk you to the bus?"

"You've already done more for me that you realise." I beamed, for now George had provided me with a person whom I could confine in.

After taking me to the bus, I hopped on giving him a quick wave before the doors shut.

"Goodbye Shellie!" I heard John yell from outside scornfully, plain and simply to embarrass me, but it didn't bother me one bit, for I really did love John's witty and crude personality. He was very unique, and was still more of a friend to me that Paul appeared to be. Speaking of which, Paul had his back to the bus, which was a first, as I would generally receive my goodbye wink. But not today, as he stood carelessly, his foot rested against the wall of the staircase, lighting himself a cigarette.