⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Chapter Forty-Five: I'm Crazy Over You, Donna Epstein

December 23, 1961

I found myself sat between John and Brian. Mimi kept whispering things to herself and John kept scolding her for it quietly. I chose to not worry about what she was probably saying about Brian and I's way of living.

The dinner was a blur of  talking. I didn't really pick up on what everyone was saying much because my mind was racing too much to even try and think straight. I couldn't even remember if I'd said anything or if I'd just looked at the ground the whole time, barely eating anything. I must have looked at lot stranger to the people here I'd never met than I really was.

I'd met most everyone who'd come. Obviously I knew all of the band. I'd met George's mother and John's aunt. I may have ran into Paul's father once, but probably didn't say anything, and I'd never met George's father or Pete's mother. From what I knew from the other boys, Pete's father had perished during the last world war, and no one ever talked about it.

Everyone was nice. I was roped into talking to each of them at least once. They were all sociable and happy to meet Brian. Perhaps except Mimi. She was polite and clearly didn't think getting a manager was going to get John to give up on music like she wanted him to. Other than that, she didn't mention it. She seemed just as supportive as the others' parents.

As everyone was readying to leave, Mimi decided to approach me again.

"Donna," she said with a smile. I turned from where I was talking to Paul to face her. I glanced to see John across the room, previously indulged in conversation with Brian, but now watching me intently. "So, what did you plan to do after school?" asked Mimi and I slowly turned back to her gaze.

"Uhm, I was—uh—I want to do something with journalism," I responded with a smile I had to fake.

"So, you like to write, then?"

"Yes, I do...I'm starting with a journalism club in school in a few weeks."

She nodded. "Will you go to school for writing or not?"

I thought a moment. I hadn't ever really thought about that. "I'm—well—not sure yet. Only time will tell, I suppose."

"What do you like about writing?" It was like she was trying to find something about me to convince John I wasn't worth his time, and worse, she wasn't even trying to hide it.

I swallowed nervously, having to talk myself out of fainting on the spot. "Well, I like how I can, y'know, not have to physically talk to express how I feel. People don't really have to know me to hear what I have to say, I guess."

That was quite the speech you came up with on the spot, Donna.

Mimi nodded thoughtfully. "That's lovely," she said. My eyes flickered and I looked back at John to see what he was up to now. He was still talking to Brian, laughing, but sneaking a peek at me every few seconds to make sure Mimi wasn't tormenting me to tears. Pretty fair thing to be worried about on his part, I suppose.

Mimi sighed with a smile. "You know, Donna," she said. "John talks about you an awful lot. I've got to shove cotton down his throat to get him to stop." She chuckled.

"He does?" I giggled.

"He does. You dominate his world now." She paused. "You're a good kid, Donna. I can see why John cares so much about you."

I stiffened, not knowing whether she was being serious or not. "Thank you," I said, unable to form any other words.

"Ye ready to go, Mimi?" John said, coming up behind her suddenly.

She looked back at John and nodded. "Yes, lets go then."

John rocked back and forth on his heels. "I'll meet you home." He gave an innocent smile.

She frowned. "Oh, alright." And she went to say goodbye to Brian.

John pulled my hand and tugged me around the corner and out of sight, his lips crashing into mine hastily. He pulled me up on my toes so I could match his height as best as possible without harshly shoving me against the wall.

When he broke away, he smiled at me, satisfied.

"Stop surprising me like that," I said, gasping with a laugh.

"Yer just so beautiful," he said again. "Couldn't help it. I'm crazy over you, Donna Epstein."

I rolled my eyes and blushed. "You've got a little—." I smiled crookedly and wiped a bit on my lipstick off his mouth.

"Thanks." He laughed. "What did Mimi say to you? Nothing bad, right?"

I shook my head. "She just, y'know asked me about school and stuff."

He nodded. "What do you want to do after you graduate? I don't think you've ever mentioned it." He smiled amusedly, leaning against the wall.

"I'm not sure. Something with journalism or just writing, y'know."

He nodded. "That's cool."

I shrugged. "Not really exciting."

"I think you'd make a marvelous writer." He smiled. "What're you and Brian doing for Christmas?" he asked.

I thought a moment. "We're going to London to see some of Brian's family. Why?"

He shrugged. "I was just curious."

We paused. "Now, as much as I'd love to talk all night," I said. "I hate this dress and just want to take it off, so I'm going to have to politely ask you to get out of my house." I laughed.

He looked at me a moment with a mischievously cheeky smile.

"Negative," I said. "Out."

He frowned teasingly. "Ah, alright. Goodnight, love." He gave me a gentle kiss on the lips and a little hug. "Fancy meeting for breakfast tomorrow morning?"

"How about you just come over here and I'll fix something? Brian's gotta go off to the store to get things done before we leave," I asked hopefully.

"That sounds even better." He smiled. "Any particular time?"

I shook my head. "Feel free to barge in and wake me up if I'm still sleeping." We laughed.

"See ye then, yeah?"

I nodded. Paul came around the corner hesitantly and sighed. "Oh thank God yer not being gross," he said sarcastically.

"Just narrowly avoided that one, Macca." John winked and I rolled my eyes. "See ye tomorrow, Donna." He gave me a hug and left.

"What could you possibly want?" I asked Paul.

He shrugged. "My dad won't stop talking to Brian. I got bored standing around."

"I don't know what makes you think I'm anymore exciting."

He shrugged. "I guess you're not, but at least you're not talking about work." He grinned jokingly. "Ye excited for Christmas?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I guess so."

"Oh, c'mon. You sound pitiful."

I rolled my eyes. "I do not. I merely answered your question."

He laughed. "Alright then. I think I'm gonna drag my dad home now. Talk to you soon, Donna."