Far from home (A Beatles story)

03 - A new friend

The staircase led onto a cramped landing with three narrow doors leading to different rooms. Paul stopped walking and turned to Frank.

"This is dad's room. That one is Mike and I's. And you'll be staying in here," He made his way to the furthest door and fiddled with the handle, struggling to get it open. Frank looked around curiously at her new room. It was modest in size but looked smaller because of the furniture that had been shoved in. In the far corner was a single bed with an empty side table next to it. There was a window with the curtains drawn back and a desk sat under it. The desk was pilled with books, old and new. Opposite the bed there was a tall cupboard for clothes and next to it stood a laundry basket. Finally, there stood a small shelf for books and other trinkets. The wallpaper was faded and the wooden floor was worn out. Overall, Frank thought that the room looked comfortable but had definitely been lived in for many years.

Frank walked over to the window and looked out at the view. It showed a nice, clean street with humble little houses all the way along it. It was the suburbs so there were no shops apart from the small corner shop that was open three days a week from 11 till 4 and was run by a retired lady in her 90's. Frank thought it was charming.

"Soo...do you need help unpacking?" Paul said from the doorway.

"Well, I don't have much stuff but I guess you can help if you want," She shrugged, setting her bin bag down on the bed. Paul walked over and sat next to it as Frank untied the knot at the top. Once open, Frank tipped it all out on the bed and stared at the mess of shapes and colours she'd poured out. First they did her clothes. They folded them and put them away in the drawers of the closet.

"These are nice," Paul said, holding up a pair of green wide cut trousers. "You have a very... unique style," He added.

"Yeah I guess I do," She shrugged. "I've never really thought about it, I just wear what I want to wear." Frank was surprised at how confident she was talking to people. At school, she didn't really speak. She learned to shut up and speak when spoken to. Now she was having an actual conversation with someone her age and surprisingly, she wasn't as nervous as she thought she would be.

Unpacking continued in silence. Frank was thinking hopelessly of something to say but was lost for words. Thankfully, Paul spoke up.

"So..Do you have any hobbies?" Paul asked, trying his best to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah. I like music, I have a guitar back home but I had to leave it behind." She Shrugged, sorting through her books and placing them on the shelf.

"Really?" Paul sounded surprised. Frank furrowed her eyebrows and turned to look at Paul, a confused look on her face.

"Yeah, why?" She smiled slightly, to lighten the mood.

"Oh sorry, it's just I've never met a girl that could play." He shrugged.

"There aren't many, but when you think about it it's not a very manly hobby." Frank commented and Paul chuckled.

"Are you any good?" He grinned.

"Yeah I'm alright. Mostly it's just chords and that but I can pick out a tune if I'm trying." Frank's grin matched Paul's and for a moment they stood in silence before they both looked away.

"You said you left your guitar at home?" Paul asked, sorting through the bits and bobs still on the bed.

"Yeah, I should've grabbed it but I suppose it's too bulky anyway." Frank shrugged.

"Well, y'know, I've got two guitars. One of them's old and tattered but it works just fine. You can have it if you want." Paul looked back over and their eyes met.

"Really? You'd do that?"

"'Course," Paul smiled. "I can get it now if you want?"

"Yes please," Frank was beaming. Frank found herself grinning eagerly as Paul left the room. She was glad to be able to talk to someone her age. She could sense that her and Paul would get on very well and hopefully be good friends.

Paul reentered the room with a dark brown, slightly worn out, guitar in this hands. The pair started a conversation as Frank took a seat on her new bed and started noodling around on her new guitar.

Hey, hope you enjoyed! It's been a while but I'm hopefully going to start updating all of my stories much more.