⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Chapter Sixty-One: Strangely Romantic

January 4, 1962

All good things come to an end. By the fourth, I was back in school with Trixie trailing along by my side.

I'd stayed at home ever since we'd come home from London. I still didn't tell anyone other than John how I was really feeling. I still didn't feel like it was necessary. It eventually subsided on its own.

My classes had changed around slightly because of all the classes I had to finish before February 9, which would be my last day of school.

"Two trips to London?" she asked, leaning back in her chair, looking impressed.

I shrugged.

"I didn't really have a choice."

"So I heard," she said.

"From George?" I asked amusedly.

She blushed. "If you must know," she began with a roll of her eyes. "George and I have been going out all break."

"Oh?" I sat up straight.

"Nothing serious," she said.

"Because that's already done?"

She swatted me lightly. "Shut up." She laughed. "At least I don't walk in a straight line every single day."

"Ha-ha-ha, very funny." I looked down at my notebook. "It'll come."

"Better be soon," she said. "I need something to be excited about."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure."

The teacher entered the room just as she went to make another remark. I smirked at her and returned my attention towards the front of the room.

~~~

"Oh, come on, just tell me." Trixie and I were sat at the counter of a diner after school, sipping on some milkshakes while waiting for George and John to show up. She was still pestering me about John.

"Tell you what?"

"Have you even said I love you yet?"

I looked down. "Uh—yes. Yes, we have."

"What's with the hesitation?"

"Well, it was under very...unusual circumstances."

"Oh?"

"Well, uh—Brian collapsed on Christmas and was sent to the hospital, yeah? I called John to tell him and he thought it meant he should—uh—come out there." She looked at me confusedly. "Okay, okay, I was tired and I was crying and we were hugging and it...just kinda...fell out."

"That's—." Her voice broke off momentarily. "Strangely romantic."

"Sure it is."

"Hey," she said. "It was on Christmas. That's gotta count for something, yeah?"

"It was also outside of a hospital. Doesn't that say something?"

"You always look on the bad side, don't you?"

"Well—."

"So, y'know, Donna."

"I know what?"

"I think you're scared."

"Pardon? Scared of what exactly."

"Doing it."

I choked on my drink and the bell over the door jingled. Trixie tried to say something else and I jammed my hand over her mouth and gave her a threatening look, all in the midst of my coughing fit. "We'll talk later," she said, and her tone told me she would remember it.

"Oh? Whatcha chattin' about?" George asked curiously as he sat on the other side of Trixie.

"Nothing!" I said, more noisy than intended.

"Alright then, love," George replied, putting his hands up in mock surrender.

I felt John's hand tug on my waist so I'd turn around to look at him. I did and saw his amused expression, signalling he'd picked up my embarrassment. I sighed.

"Why the long face, my love? I'm letting you keep your secrets."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't tell you if you wanted me to."

He nodded with a little smirk. "Sure you wouldn't." He leaned down and kissed me quickly. "You taste like chocolate," he said jokingly.

"Must be the ice cream."

"Did ye get me any?"

"Get yer own." I swatted his chest lightly with a laugh.

"Or I could just steal yours."

"You could, but that would be lazy."

"Lazy's my middle name, love." He took a sip of my milkshake. "I just hope you're not feeling ill anymore."

I shook my head. "Definitely am not." I turned back towards Trixie and George. They were staring at us amusedly.

"Take a picture; it'll last longer," John quipped.

"Shag already; it'll put us all more at ease," George retorted.

I shifted uncomfortably and Trixie looked down to hide her wide smirk. John didn't have a response.

"How was your day?" Trixie asked, looking up, trying to save me, but clearly struggling to keep a straight face.

"It was—." John spoke up. "Yes, it was good. How about you two?"

"Absolutely delightful," I said sarcastically and everyone chuckled lightly before going silent.

"Well—," said George after a long pause. "We're glad we could stop by, but as you know, duty calls. We've got a rehearsal."

"Yes, yes, you do," I said, turning around to John to tell him goodbye, dread tearing its way into my system over having to discuss the topic of 'doing it' with Trixie.

"I love you," said John. "I'll see ye later perhaps?"

"Only time will tell," I said. "Love you too."

"So," Trixie said, turning around towards me as they left.

"Let's at least go somewhere else," I said with a sigh. "Somewhere not as public."

The lady at the counter had been sitting idly by amidst the chattering of everyone dining in the little café. We brought our ticket up to her and handed it over along with the money and she took it, tapped a few things on a cash register, and waved us away.

"So you admit—," Trixie began.

"I don't admit anything."

She sighed. "Donna, you gotta loosen up. He's John Lennon. He's in a rock band. He's not going to wait forever."

"Why does everyone say that?" I asked angrily.

"Because it's true!" she replied. "It's the kind of person he is."

We stopped under a tree in a park. I bounced back and forth on my heels nervously, tears in my eyes. "Trixie, it's too much for me right now."

She nodded. "Don't let him rush you."

"But you were just telling me to rush—."

"No, I was simply saying that's what he would want, but don't let him drag you into anything you don't want to do. You're still your own person. He can't change that."

I nodded. "They're playing at the Cavern tonight," I said. "Will you come with me?"

She nodded. "Of course I will."

I looked at my watch. "We've got two hours."

She smirked. "Well, let's go get you looking all spiffy then."

I smiled and shook my head in disbelief as she pulled me away by the hand.