Careless Talk

Apologizing

John gave a final sigh and hopped down the bleachers. He'd hold off on talking and or apologizing to Paul until later. Whether it was because he thought it was for the best or just his own personal preference, he didn't know. But he shoved himself after Astrid and Stu.

Astrid looked as though she was chirping bitter words at Stu. Her stare was icy and her mouth was moving fast. Stu seemed like he was dishing out apology after apology. He'd never been so sensitive in his life, at least around John. At any other time, John would shove himself between the couple but instead he just lined himself up right next to Stu. He looked up at him but Stu just sneered.

"I don't care if baby face is your boyfriend, John. He's gettin on me nerves"

John just shook his head and fiddled with his thumbs. He assumed that he lost any chance of shielding this information from the now fifth party, Astrid. So he went on with the conversation like it wasn't bothering him.

"You probably won't have to worry 'bout him much longer Stu. Think that might be it for us"

Astrid didn't offer any discouraging comments or any words at all. She just pushed some of her hair behind her ear and tried to look for a place to put her gaze on. She pulled her jacket close to her body and Stu laid his arm over her shoulders. She didn't pull away, she just let him do it so John assumed that everything between them would be fine and John was bitter about it.

John was parading with his adult mates. That's the way he saw it anyway, not that Stu was epically mature or anything. But Stu was an artist and not only had that in the past turned John on but it also made him seem more put together. John had never been like that, he was always all over the place.

John knew it was daft of him to say Stu was anything close to an adult level of maturity but he knew what he was good at and was going to pursue it.

"Givin up so easily, huh John?" Stu laughed. The chuckle kind of bubbling in his throat with a mixture or amusement and bitterness.

"What am I supposed to do Stu? Or am I not suppose to ask for your help with my queer drama?" John huffed.

The three of them walked in a row next to each other up the streets. Stu and Astrid were joined together with the steady rhythm of their footsteps. Johns steps were more chaotic and off to the side. John could see Astrid's short hair was tucked behind Stu's arm. John narrowed his eyes at the sight that he could be so easily jealous of. He broke the stare to look at the houses they were passing and there was a sort of stinging under his eyes.

His skin was growing too cold for this but it wasn't like he had much else to do.

"I don't know who else you're gonna talk to about it, does look like the responsibility falls on me doesn't it?" Stu chuckled and Astrid patted her hand against his.

"The hell am I gonna do Stu?" John nervously fidgeted. His gaze fell on Astrid, who gave him a kind smile.

"Dunno John. If you really like the lad...don't let him go, huh?" Stu shrugged looking down with a smile at Astrid, who nodded against his curled arm. The fist sign of an opinion from her all day.

John didn't like where Stu was getting this all knowing knowledge on love from but he'd just have to let that go. He sucked in his breath and took in what Stu said.

"Thanks Stu." He gave his mate a small grin and shrugged as if his stomach wasn't turning anxiously.
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George walked silently beside Paul. The most noise he heard were Pauls small sniffles and teeth chattering. The air was briskly chilly for the time of the year. They had gone a little of the way away from the school when George realized that he hadn't said anything to Ringo about leaving. He was just going to wait until they got to a phone but since they weren't too far, Paul just suggested they walk back.