Lucy In The Sky

Hello, Goodbye

LUCY'S P.O.V

It was a late Thursday afternoon, it had been a long and tedious day of waitressing at Rita's Coffee Room, where I recently landed a new job. I had only told my parents about the job, as recently I began to exclude myself from the people around me. A lot had happened over the past few months; school graduation, my ectopic pregnancy, engagement to John, death of Stu, countless arguments with John... I simply couldn't cope. I strived for peace of mind. A type of peace of mind that only came with time. So, to burn the time I found myself in a low-paid, dull job. I hadn't even contacted Vicky or Paul much, especially after the intimate encounter I experienced with Paul a few days prior.

It was when I was cleaning the last few plates, I received a shock. The door of Rita's Coffee Room flung open, the bell clanged loudly, and I looked up to see Paul stood in the doorway, looking flushed.

'Lucy!' he yelped. I looked down, continuing to clean the table and take the plates to the kitchen. I felt Paul's eyes watch me. I still felt terribly awkward about the other night. Nothing even happened, but there was a feeling in the air, an intimate one, that felt very uncomfortable for me.

'Lucy. It's okay for you to end your shift now. We're done for the day, and it looks as though you have a visitor!' My manager, Rita, told me. I thanked her, and keeping my head down I made my way back into the café, where Paul was.

'Luce!' he yelped, again. I looked up and gave him a small smile. 'I was looking all over for this place. Ye mam told me you were here. You never told me you had a job! Are you alright?' he queried.

'I'm fine, thanks. I only started here on Monday. Never told anyone. Everyone seems so caught up in their own stuff at the mome-' I began, before being cut off by Paul.

'Oh, Lucy. Don't feel that way. Here:' he says, opening the door of the café, signalling for us to go outside. 'Listen, I am sorry about the other night. Like, sorry if you felt uncomfortable. I am, truly, sorry. Can I make it up to ye? We can go to Ye Crake tonight for a few drinks?' he plead. I felt unsure, wanting to avoid another awkward situation. Surely, I should see John eventually?

'I don't know.' I admit.

'Come on, Lucy! Pleaaaase?' he says, putting his hands in front of his face, giving me his best puppy eyes. I guess it wouldn't be too bad going out for a bit? I can't exclude myself from the world forever, after all.

'Alright, alright. I'll come.'

3 hours later

I'm sat in Ye Crake, Paul has bought me a drink and I was, to my surprise, having a very pleasant time. My mind had been distracted of all the negative events that had happened the past few weeks, and I was thoroughly enjoying having funny and light-hearted conversations with Paul. It was when we were discussing a hilarious childhood anecdote, and we were both on the verge of crying with laughter, that I spotted John through the window. He was with Pete and Cynthia, looking particularly close to Cyn. My laughter silenced.

'What's up?' Paul said, turning around to see where I was staring. Releasing an 'oh', when he spotted them walking inside. I turned my head away from the door, in hope none of them would notice me. Stupidly.

'Whey!' I heard John holler, as he made his way towards Paul and I. 'Hello, my darling fiancé... and Paul.' He said, in an irritated tone.

'Hi, John.' I replied, refusing to make eye contact.

'Can I have a moment alone with my fiancé, you lot? Won't be long.' John said, linking my arm and leading me outside Ye Cracke. I felt my heart beat rapidly. He let go of me and lit a cigarette, taking a long inhale.

'So, what the fuck are you doing? Huh? What are you playing at? You can't spend time with me, like. No. You can't even give me a phone call. But Paul, you've got all the time in the world!' he suddenly shrieked. I felt my blood boil. How dare he have this attitude after all that has happened. He should be apologising to me right now!

'You really think I want to spend time with you when you're behaving in such a manner recently? You've caused nothing but havoc the past few weeks, John Lennon. I didn't want to call you, despite see you.' I shot back.

'But you wanted to see Paul, eh?' he retaliated.

'And you wanted to see Cyn, eh?' I responded, imitating his tone, mockingly. 'Paul is my friend, he has been nothing but nice to me. Ever. Whereas you... well, John... I-I'm afraid of you.' I admitted, voice cracking. This was a moment of realisation for myself. That my own boyfriend actually scared me. I could not cope with his unpredictable and erratic behaviour. He sighed, rolled his eyes and took a long drag on his cigarette. 'You sound fucking stupid.' He replied.

'You know what, John? Maybe I do. No girl should ever have to admit that her own fiancé makes her feel unsafe.' A tear dropped on my cheek. Suddenly, John looked stunned. 'Goodbye, John.' I turned to head back inside Ye Cracke, but John grabbed my arm. I felt uncomfortable instantly and I think he noticed, releasing me.

'Lucy,' I froze, as he clearly wanted me to hear what he was about to say. 'Please don't. You know I don't mean to ever harm ye, I-' I cut him off.

'That's the thing, John. You don't even realise you're hurting me. I don't want to be hurt anymore.' I said, turning to leave. Tears trickling down my face.

'Lucy, please. Let me fix this!' He pleaded.

'What's left to fix?' I replied, heading back inside Ye Cracke. I tried to remain composed, as I grabbed my bags and headed straight back out again, to go home. I heard Paul try and follow me, he yelled my name, but I was too upset to converse with anyone and told him to leave me alone.

JOHN'S P.O.V

Fuck. What had I done? That girl has quite a temper, a temper I can't deal with anymore. I need a break. Of everything. But, I truly adored her, and I just let her go. Again. What the fuck is going on? I heard the door open to Ye Cracke, and Pete turned up around the corner. I continued to watch Lucy flee down the road.

'Lennon charms not work on this one then, eh?' he remarked.

'Fuck off, Pete.' I replied, sternly. I wanted to be alone, not dealing with Pete's shit remarks.

'Alright, mate! Calm down!' he said, chuckling.

'I SAID, FUCK OFF!'