AN: I do not own the lyrics to "Hand In Glove". All rights to that song belong to Morrissey and Johnny Marr and I have no intention of selling this story so pls don't sue me it's only to enhance the narrative.
"And where were you, Gra?" Amy asked.
"I had to um... wash my hair?" Graham fibbed as he laughed nervously and adjusted his glasses.
"Your hair is dry," Amy retorted.
"Oh?", Graham ran his fingers through his hair to feign checking for moisture.
"What were you doing?". Amy asked more sternly.
"Oh alright. I was, just ever so slightly nervous coming 'round I popped on Strangeways to calm my nerves and it ran a bit long." Amy shook her head.
"I swear she doesn't bite, Gra. You're such a dork," she smiled affectionately at him as he stared at the ground.
"Strangeways?", I asked, "As in?"
"Strangeways, Here We Come. The Smiths album", he clarified, "you know it?
"Know it? I've slept with the record sleeve in my arms", I revealed. I actually had done precisely that one night while it was on. In my defense, I was very drunk.
"That's brilliant!". Graham said as he smiled and laughed. Graham's mannerisms had ever so slightly loosened up now that we'd found a common interest and I must admit, his smile was pretty cute.
"I seen 'em live with this one!" I said gesturing to Amy, "Every single one including their last show in Manchester!"
"I'm so sorry but might I one-up you?", he asked bashfully.
"Got something better?", I responded.
"I drove all the way to Brixton to see their last show ever and during "Hang The DJ"... I caught the noose!". My eyes widened in awe.
"You didn't!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah!" he said like an excited child.
"Oh just make out already!", Alex groaned. Graham took three steps back from me as I giggled at Alex's sass.
"Umm Ames, you told me to bring my guitar? Any requests from you?" Graham asked.
"Well seeing as we're on that topic, how about some Smiths?" Amy smiled.
"Anything in specific?" he turned to me, "What's your favorite, erm...?"
"Leanna!", I responded. I'd gotten so caught up in our banter it slipped my mind I hadn't given him my name.
"Right, Leanna! That's what Amy told me! So?"
"Can you do Hand In Glove?"
"What a lovely choice". Graham took a seat as he began to strum out the first bits of the song.
"Hand in glove,
The sun shines out of our behinds.
No, it's not like any other love.
This one is different-because it's us..."
Hearing Graham sing those words took me back to Manchester nights with Amy, singing along. His voice wasn't Morrissey's, but it had youthful sweetness to it.
"The good life is out there, somewhere
So stay on my arm, you little charmer
But I know my luck too well
And I'll probably never see you again."
Graham finished the final notes. Though Alex, Amy, and I all clapped, Graham hung his head in shame.
"What's wrong?", I asked.
"I mean, my voice is horrid. I'm no Morrissey at all," he ashamedly packed his guitar away.
"I think you were lovely and besides, I can't play guitar for shit", I giggled, "All of one week ago I finally got the riff to fucking "Smoke On The Water".
"Oh Christ!", Graham laughed.
"Well done, Gra," Amy patted Graham on the shoulder, "so how's about we all go back to mine and get our mid-evening boozing on?
"I second that wholly!", Alex said jumping in the air.
"Let's head out!" Amy yelled. We all began to file out the door. Graham stopped to hold it open for me.
"Why thank you! What a gentleman you are!" I said. His cheeks turned red as he smiled at me and we all walked in a mass to Amy's flat.
YOU ARE READING
Stay On My Arm, You Little Charmer
FanficLeanna Khoury isn't sure what to make of her life. She knows she wants to be someone, but she's not sure who. In 1988, she follows her best friend, Amy, to Goldsmith's College and, unbeknownst to her, joins musical history as she becomes entangled i...
