THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD || Paul McCartney [Completed]

30. Every Little Thing

The scent that you left on my pillow
The sound of your heart beating with mine
The look in your eyes like a window
The taste of your kiss soaked in wine

Every little thing
I remember every little thing
The high, the hurt, the shine, the sting
Of every little thing

November, 1966

Natalie was curled up on the couch against Henry. His arms were wrapped around her tightly, and her head was tucked into the crook of his neck. They were taking a nap, at least he was. She tried to fall asleep but she couldn't. Molly and Benjamin lived with Henry in his flat, and they asked Natalie to move in with them so she would be closer to school, but Natalie wasn't ready. She and Henry were not sleeping together yet, but they had been seeing each other for a month now. She knew if she moved in, their relationship would become more intimate and she wasn't ready to be with another man in that way. She had moved on enough that she was able to date someone else, but she couldn't have sex with him yet. She knew if they did, she would only think of Paul. It would be his touch she felt, his kiss, his heart beating against her own. Paul was still so much inside her, and a part of her wondered if he always would be. She didn't want to forget what it felt like to be with him, perhaps that is why she refused to sleep with Henry.  

The last thing she heard about Paul was that he and Jane reconciled and were dating again. This angered her. Jane and Paul fought more than she and Paul did, and yet he thought it would be smart to start dating her again? Natalie knew Paul would eventually move on and be with someone else, but she wished it were anyone but Jane.

"Paul McCartney is dead!" Molly practically screamed as she burst into the flat. Natalie blinked, lurching up and looking at the girl with wide, frightened eyes.

"What did you say?"

"Paul McCartney is dead!" She had tears streaming down her face, and she was hugging a Beat magazine with his face on it, as if it was really him in her arms.

Natalie's heart began to pound in her chest, and she became increasingly light-headed, as if her soul was ascending from her body. Her insides went numb and her hackles rose, "Where did you hear that?" Her voice was full of panic. Henry shifted next to her, sitting up, realizing what was going on.

"She heard it from another student. But they're not sure. There aren't any reports about it, and it's not even in the news. Apparently, someone said they saw his motor, or a motor like his, that was involved in a bad accident. But I think it's just a silly rumor." Benjamin said, standing next to his hysterical girlfriend.

Natalie started to shake, and she exchanged a glance with Henry.

"Therefore he's dead!" Molly continued to cry. "They aren't telling us yet, but you just wait and see."

"Go on, go call him." Henry murmured to her. He knew Natalie still cared deeply for Paul. That's why he was taking things slow with her. She may have been his girlfriend, but there was still a part of her that belonged to The Beatle. Natalie thanked him with a kiss on his cheek before she flung herself off the couch and ran to the next room. Molly and Benjamin still had no idea she dated Paul, and weren't really paying attention to the brief conversation between them. Henry shot a glare at Molly and shook his head. He had to remember if the girl did know, she wouldn't have rushed in screaming Paul McCartney is dead in front of Natalie. He watched as Molly's sobs grew quieter as she and Benjamin vanished to their room.

Natalie dialed his number, her hands shaking. She thought she would pass out from the amount of anxiety that was wreaking havoc on her body. She braced herself against the wall and closed her eyes, breathing in and out. "Pick up, please pick up." She prayed.

He didn't. The phone just continued to ring. Natalie hung up the phone before dialing again only to be met with the same dreaded results. Nothing. She slammed the phone down before running to grab her bag and coat. "I'm sorry, Henry," She began as she slipped on the dark red peacoat, "I have to go. He won't answer."