𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧' 𝐆𝐮𝐲 ➺ 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝑀𝒶𝓎 & 𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃

(4) 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺

4 ~ her majesty ~

It took me ages to find this address. Why did Brian have to live in such an obscure part of town? I lifted my hand and knocked loud enough for someone inside to hear me. Whilst I awaited an answer, I scanned my eyes around the surrounding area. I wouldn't say it was particularly nice, with its lack of security and the fact that their front door was hidden down a side alley, but I guess students can't complain.

I heard the lock from the other side of the door twist round and the handle being pulled on. Peeping through the crack in the door, I saw Roger's blue eyes staring back at me.

"Oh, it's you." He said, as though relieved, although I didn't catch onto that initially. He pulled open the door all the way, stepping aside to let me in.

"Good afternoon to you, too, Roger." I walked inside, little warmth hitting me as I did so.

"Who is it??" I heard a softer voice yelling from another part of the house.

"It's..." Roger stammered, looking back at me, "Sorry, love, what's your name again?"

"Maria." I sighed. He already forgot my name?

"It's Maria!"

Just then, someone came out of one of the rooms, holding a big case in front of them, evidently containing a guitar of some sort. But you wouldn't find it difficult to tell who was behind the case; I could see Brian's big mane sticking out. That's when his face peered round the side.

"Hi Maria," He greeted warmly, adjusting his hands underneath the case. "I'll be with you in a sec, I just have to take this upstairs."

"I can look after her, you know." Roger said, almost offended at Brian's lack of confidence that he'd be able to do such a thing.

"And I'm sure you would." I heard Brian mumble, as he trudged up the stairs with the big case in his hands.

Closing the door behind me, Roger gave me a toothy grin, walking ahead of me. "You can come in here, we don't bite." He gestured his hand to follow him and I did so.

My eyes landed on Freddie playing scrabble on the floor with another boy, his hair also lengthy. That's the bass player, I thought. Freddie noticed me and his concentrated expression soon switched to a look of joy.

"Maria, darling, how are you feeling?" He also remembered my name? I'm more memorable than I thought. Freddie's eyes kept flicking from me to the scrabble board, making sure the bass player of the group didn't cheat.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you F..." I hesitated a bit, finishing his name as more of a question. "...Freddie, was it?"

"That is indeed my name, dear." He grinned at me, showing his teeth. I'd never seen an overbite so intense. But it somehow suited him and caused his uniqueness to get the better of him. "John, dear, don't be so rude, we have a guest." Freddie nudged the other guy, who instantly looked up at me. He too smiled, a slight gap in his front two teeth.

"Hello. You're the girl who's helping us, aren't you?" His voice was very sweet and childlike. But at the same time, it was comforting.

"Uh, yeah. I don't know how good I'll be, I'm a bit useless to be honest." I chuckled nervously, playing with my fingers.

"Nonsense." I heard behind me, Brian soon emerging from my side to sit on their rather worn out sofa. "It's nothing serious, don't have a thing to worry about. Of course, we understand it's unpaid so like I said on the phone, we don't expect much." Brian smiled; mouth closed. "Oh, uh, do you want anything to drink?" He noticed none of them had exactly been welcoming to their fullest.