Careless Talk

Determination

Paul heard John asking him where he was so Paul picked the phone back up quickly, pressing it into his ear.

"What did you mean?" He asked

He heard shuffling on the other end of the phone " just that, I can't really deny the accu-"

"So you're queer?" Paul asked with sudden fury "you put me through hell for me being queer and you're queer!"

"Listen, Paul-"

"No I'm determined to make you feel bad for this!"

"I do what I have to do, I don't have to justify this to you, anyway I never said I was" he could hear John growing more infuriated. But Paul was doing just the same.

"You can't twist this back round, Lennon. Go ahead and explain to me exactly what you meant by that comment if not that!" Paul urged John to go on.

"I suggest you keep out me way in school or-"

"What? You'll have another slip of the tongue and tell me all about your queer ways-" the line went dead, Paul pulled the phone out to his face and stared at it for a few seconds before hanging it back up. Paul felt waves of guilt in his stomach, angering John was not his best idea. Not only did it put an even bigger target on his back but by default, George too. He dreaded the next school day and wondered if he could avoid explaining all of this to George.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George was biting at his nails as he watched Paul pace back and forth.

"You're extra fidgety today" he remarked curiously from the edge of Paul's bed.

"M'not" Paul snapped the response out so fast that it nearly overlapped with the last word of George's comment.

"And you want me to believe that?"

Paul shrugged and sat down on the bed next to him. "You know...just worried bout Stu s'all"

George smiled faintly and leaned his head on Paul's shoulder. "Me too". They stayed like that for a while before the clock demanded they leave for school.

Mike, Paul's brother, was tagging along behind them as they climbed the steps of the bus. Paul flashed the driver a smile as they plopped themselves down on any open seat. Paul leaned his temple against the rattling window and took a small breath.

"you have enough brain damage as it is , McCartney" George pulled Paul's head off the window.

"Ha" Paul turned back with a sarcastic teasing smile.
~~~~~~~~~~

John felt the heat of Stu's driveway through his jeans. He'd give him five more minutes before he'd storm off to school without him. Not that he was eager to get there but Stu wasn't giving him much to do here.

Near the end of the fourth minute, Stu strolled down the walkway with a cig perched in his grin. And the slam of the door shocked John into a jump. "You twitchy this morning?" Stu kicked Johns foot.

John fumbled with his hands and stood, glaring into Stu's eyes. "You're about to be limpy this morning" John kicked him in the shin and began the walk to school.

"Ow!" Stu hopped after him with minor complaints.

They got to school late, so John insisted they roam the halls until next period. John lit himself a cig as his shoes squeaked on the floor. He pushed it past his lips as Stu put his out. They were walking along the lockers when Stu stopped.

"What?" John asked but continued past him.

"Ain't this the queers locker?" Stu happily tilted his head with a cocked smirk. John forced a turn from his legs and stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets.