You Really Got a Hold On Me

Chapter 1: Always Check If The Door Is Glowing

"Wake up."

Tessa groaned as Veronica poked her cheek for the tenth time in the last 30 seconds. Tessa had been unresponsive, hoping she would get the hint and leave her to nurse her hangover in peace, but to no avail. Good 'ol Ronnie was as stubborn as a mule, like always. Tessa forced one eye open and glared at her sister, who was far too perky for her taste.

"Ah, there she is! Little Miss Sunshine!" Veronica cooed sweetly.

"Go away." Tessa grumbled, rolling onto her stomach and facing away from her sister, who was annoying her more by the second.

"Why in heavens name would I do that?" Veronica exclaimed, putting her hand to her heart, "When my dear sister so obviously needs me? Why, if I wasn't here to guide you, you'd never get up before noon!"

Tessa could muster nothing more than a halfhearted "Leave me alone" and, as an afterthought, added "Don't bother me."

Veronica laughed.

"Well, quoting George Harrison at me definitely will not make me inclined to leave, him being my absolute favorite Beatle and all."

With that proclamation, Veronica hopped up and began opening all the curtains in their hotel room, humming the Beatles song cheerfully as she went.

Light pooled into the room and landed on Tessa's face, forcing her to open both eyes completely. She scanned the hotel room for signs of what she had done last night. Nothing. Everything was as neat and tidy as it always was with Ronnie. Not one thing out of place. Unfortunately, the lack of clues didn't stop Tess from slowing regaining her memories of the previous evening's escapades.

"Ronnie?"

"Yes, Sunshine?"

"What happened last night?" Tessa asked hesitantly, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Well..." Veronica began, stifling a laugh, "You seemed to be enjoying yourself quite a bit, what with the stage diving and... How can I say this? Ah, yes, energetic dance moves. Also, you tried to make out with a few different guys but I managed to stop you."

"Did I... sing?"

"Oh, yeah. More like screeched." Veronica giggled and Tessa threw a pillow at her.

"No time to dwell, darling. We have to rehearse if we want to be ready for our gig tonight!"

Tessa sat up suddenly.

"Gig?" She said, confused, "I thought today was our day off." She flopped back down on the bed, "I don't want to do a gig, I want to sleep..." She whined, her voice muffled by her pillow.

"Well, that's understandable," Veronica began nonchalantly, "I guess I could always just let the manager of the Cavern know that my band-mate was blackout drunk last night and far too hungover to perform..." She trailed off.

Tessa shot up off the bed.

"Did you just say The Cavern? As in, The Cavern Club? As in, The Beatles' Cavern Club?" Tessa exclaimed disbelievingly.

"Yup," Veronica said smugly, "The manager came to our show last night and loved our set. He wants us to perform there tonight!"

When Tess and Veronica had tried performing as a musical duo in their hometown of Bumfuck, Idaho, the response had been less than ideal. It appeared there wasn't a huge market for high school girls with a passion for classic rock. The UK, however, had turned out to be another story entirely. After making the decision to drop out of college after an unfulfilling year, the twins had set off across the pond to follow their dreams of stardom.