A Day In The Life (A Beatles Fan-Fiction Story)

Chapter Seventeen: Goodbye, My Love

Okay this is the last chapter, but there's still one more part, it's just not a chapter, you know?

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I sat up on my bed and looked out the window, to the cloudy and grey sky. I sighed as I got up, realizing that today is the day. I dragged myself up and went into the bathroom and undressed to get in the shower. The warm water felt nice on my cold body, but still I was depressed.

After debating with myself for about fifteen minutes, I hesitantly turned the water off and stepped out into the cold air. I found something nice to wear, unlike the clothes I usually wear. I used the hair dryer to blow out my hair, before using the iron to flatten it. I looked in the mirror and thought about how much better I would look with a little make-up, but since I don't wear it I never bought any.

I crossed the hallway and went into Paul's room, where he was frantically searching around for anything he might've missed. He had his suitcase, his guitar and the amplifier, but I don't know what else he might need. At first he didn't realize I was in the room, but when he looked up he spoke and sounded worried.

"Eleanor, are you ready?! Are your suitcases packed, do you have your guitar, hairbrush, headband--" he said quickly.

"I'm not going," I said quietly.

He stopped at once. "What?"

"I'm not going to Hamburg with you," I repeated.

He looked confused. He was probably wondering why I wouldn't want to go, so I explained. "Paul, I need to go to college. I don't know how long we'd be in Germany, and if I put it off for too long I might not go. This is important to me, please understand."

He just stared at me as if I didn't say anything. Finally he grasped what I said, because he sat on his bed and sighed. He tried to find the words to say, and finally said, "Have you told John and George? Do they know?"

"No," I shook my head. "I just made up my mind last night. Believe me Paul, I want to go, but I just can't, you know?"

"No, I. . .I understand. You'll at least come to the train station, right?"

"Yes, of course I will. I can't just have you all leave without saying goodbye."

I just sat on his bed and waited for him to finish doing what he was. When he was done we went outside and waited for John to come, because he's driving us to the train station. He pulled into the driveway a few minutes later.

"Eleanor! Where's your stuff?" he called. I looked up at him and then at Paul, and then back at him again.

"You're not coming, are you," he said when he saw the sadness in my eyes. I silently shook my head, avoiding eye contact because I was trying hard not to cry. When he noticed this, he lifted my head with his finger and said, "It's okay, El. I understand. Really, I do."

I nodded my head and I helped Paul put his items in the trunk. We drove to George's house but saw he wasn't outside yet. "Ah damn, he's probably still eating breakfast. Now I have to go inside and--" John said but I cut him off.

"I'll get him," I spoke up. I got out of the car and walked up the steps to his door. I knocked on it lightly, but I realized that it was too quiet because no one answered the door. So I knocked a bit harder, and I heard someone come to the door, and the person who opened it was one of George's brothers.

"Oh hey Eleanor, George is just fixing his hair, he should be down in a minute," he said.

"Can I come in?" I asked quietly.

"Um, yes of course," He said and opened the door wider. I went inside and started walking up the stairs to his room. I saw the door open slightly, and slowly I opened it wider and saw George running around, a lot like Paul was earlier.

"Hello love," he said and ran over to me. "Sorry I'm a bit late, I'll just be a minute."

"George," I said, "I have to tell you something." He looked worried. "I. . .I'm not going to Hamburg. I have to go to college, please understand, please don't be mad or upset."

He did look upset. Not mad though, just upset. "But, but you can't, Eleanor, no. . ." he cried. "You can't. Please, I love you and I can't be away from you for too long. Please come," he begged. As much as I wanted to give in and say yes, I didn't. I couldn't. But hearing him say these things, I couldn't hold in my tears any longer. I let them pour out of my eyes like rivers, and I hugged him and didn't want to ever let him go. I just cried into his shoulder and soaked his shirt, and I didn't let go until I heard John beep the car's horn. I wiped the tears from my eyes and started to walk back downstairs. "I'll be down in a minute, I have to get something," he told me. So I went down and sat on the last step and waited for him.

"Okay, dear. I'm ready," he said and held my hand as we walked outside. He stuffed his things in the trunk with John and Paul's, and we sat in the back. He held onto my hand for the whole ride, but no one said a word.

When we got to the station, we saw Pete, Stuart and Brian (their manager, did I mention?) were already waiting for us to arrive. They had a worried expression, at least Brian did, because we're a few minutes late. Paul explained to them that I'm staying here.

"Good luck at the university, love," Stuart said and patted my shoulder.

"Thanks, Stu," I said.

"See you later, El," Pete said.

I smiled at him. "Even though you annoy the crap out of me, I'm going to miss you," I told him and pulled him into a hug. I heard him chuckle a bit, and he let go and got on the train with with Stuart and Brian. Then I turned to John, Paul and George, the three people that mean more to me than anything.

I faced John first. "Goodbye, my favourite Lobsterback," I teased.

He laughed and hugged me lightly. "I'm going to miss you, my lovely Yank," he joked back. He kissed my cheek before letting go.

Then I turned to Paul. "I can't believe it's been what, four years since I came here? I still remember meeting you on the pier like it was yesterday. I can't believe it's been so long," I told him. I think he started crying too, but I couldn't tell because he wrapped his arms around me so fast that I couldn't see whatever emotions he had.

"You're going to do great at the university, Eleanor. I know you will," he said, but his voice was cracking, so I knew he was crying. "Don't worry, we'll see each other again, it's not like we're moving to Hamburg." He let go and got on the train with John, leaving me and George alone.

We didn't say anything, we just wrapped our arms around each other and didn't let go for what felt like a long time. We were both crying, and I don't think I'll be able to stop this time. When we let go of each other, he said, "Don't be sad, love. Remember this?" he said and put his hand in his shirt and took out a necklace, the one he bought years ago. I never took mine off ever, and I don't think he did either. He unhooked his and then mine, and put them together in his hand to make the heart. "Every time you look at this, just think of me okay? I promise we'll be together again, darling. I do." He gave my necklace back and hooked his on his neck again. "Here, this is for you," he said and handed me an envelope. I hugged him again, and out of the nowhere he kissed me, for one last time. He didn't stop until the train whistled, signaling that it's leaving. He grabbed his suitcase and guitar and started walking to the train car.

"George!" I called and he turned around, "Good luck in Hamburg. Have fun!"

"Thank you!" he called back. "Good luck to you too!"

I smiled and waved goodbye. As the train started to leave, I kissed my finger and pretended to blow it to George. "I love you," I mouthed the words silently.

"I love you too," he responded.

I watched and waved until the train was out of sight. "Goodbye, my love."