Growing Up Beside You [John Lennon/Beatles Fanfiction]

14. Who are you staring at?

"Hello," Diana waved her hand in front of Celia's face, attempting to gain her friend's attention. "Are you even listening to James and I?"

No, she wasn't. Instead, she was staring at the crowded table at the back of the dinner hall which seated their other friend Penny, John and his little gang. Celia had been thinking about how at ease Penny looked over there with her arm draped around Eric's neck, both of them laughing at something John had said. Penny was outgoing and gregarious, meaning it was never difficult for her to make friends. She had the social confidence and approachability that Celia lacked, though, Celia told herself she wasn't envious of it. She favoured sitting in the background, watching the relationships of other people unfold, just like she was doing at that moment. John slapped a slice of ham in-between Eric and Penny's forehead, breaking them away from their kiss. In turn, Penny took the bread from John's sandwich and attempted to shove it in his mouth while he backed away snickering.

They seemed so comfortable around each other. Celia questioned herself as to whether John would ever speak to Penny the same horrible way he had to her a couple of days ago behind the caretakers shed. He hadn't told Penny about what happened but if she did, would Penny still be sitting over there now laughing with him? No, Celia knew for sure she wouldn't. Penny would probably slap him, tell him to sod off and that nobody dares speak to her best mate like that, and she'd never associate with him again. Penny was loyal like that- she wasn't the type of girl who gave second chances to those who didn't deserve it. No, if Celia told her it would only complicate things between the two lovebirds and that was the last thing Celia wanted. Penny and Eric were so loved up; it made her want to shower them with roses and throw up her scotch eggs at the same time.

"Sorry, yes, I'm listening," Celia fibbed.

"Liar. Who are you starin' at anyway?"

Diana twisted her small frame around in her chair. After a few seconds, she turned back around with a snarl on her face and said, "Ugh, that traitor."

Celia glanced at Penny again who was now sitting on Eric's lap, both of them planting quick kisses on each other's lips. They were always bloody at it. Ever since they'd started dating before Christmas, they were utterly smitten with each other.

"Penny's not a traitor," Celia defended. "She's just got a boyfriend now, that's all."

"Exactly. She finds a new beau, and she ditches us. That makes her a traitor." She shrugged and picked up her cheese roll, which she'd barely touched in the past thirty minutes.

"Don't be so sour, Di," James said, nudging Diana gently in the hip. "When you like someone you wanna spend all your time with them." He caught Celia's eye and smiled at her. Her stomach fluttered, and after shooting him a quick smile back, she dropped her head, so her hair hid her blushing cheeks.

It was only James Marsh for goodness sake, she'd been friends with him for six bloody years. He'd seen her strut around in her swimming cozzie many times, yet here she was blushing more than what was acceptable from someone who merely sent a smile in her direction. Lately, Celia had noticed the change in James' behaviour towards her. His blue eyes would linger on her much longer than usual, and when she caught him staring, he'd give her that sweet, charming smile of his. Celia was always overcome with searing cheeks and belly flutters, which meant she could never keep her gaze on him long enough. Only yesterday, she'd felt his hand brush against hers while they were standing in the lunch queue and it took everything within her not to entwine her fingers into his.

"Yes but, James, Penny hasn't sat with us for almost three weeks now," moaned Diana.

She's sat with me, just not when you're around, Celia wanted to say. Penny always joked to Celia that Diana was like a drug- she could only deal with her in small, restricted doses; otherwise, Diana was prone to send her loopy.