Love At First Bite

Chapter 5 - What's Wrong With Paul?

Four Days Later

An urgent knock on the door makes Claire jump. She goes to answer it and reveals John. "Hello, Claire." He said. "John! What brings you here?" Asked Claire. "I've come to talk to you about Paul." Said John. Claire lets him in as the two sit on the couch.

"John Lennon?" Asked Quinn. "Yes. Are you Claire's sister?" John asked. "Yeah. I'm Quinn." Quinn said. "Hello, Quinn." Said John. "And I'm Lloyd." Said Lloyd as he entered the room. "And hello to you too, Lloyd. You must be Claire's brother." John said. "I am." Lloyd said.

After John meets Claire's siblings, he and Claire talk. "Okay, John, you said you wanted to talk about Paul." Claire said. "I did. He's been acting really weird for the past few days." Said John. "Weird, how?" Asked Claire. "Every time I asked him if he was okay, he'd tell me he's fine, even though he doesn't look fine." John said. "Really?" Claire asked. John nods. "Maybe you could try talking to him?" He asked. "It's worth a shot." Said Claire.

A little while later, she stops by Paul's house and knocks on his door. He answers it a minute later. "Claire!" He said excitedly. He wraps Claire into a hug afterwards. "Hi, Paul. Can we talk?" She asked. "I'd never say no to talking to my girlfriend." Said Paul. He lets Claire into his house and they sit on his couch.

Claire looks at Paul and notices something off about him. "Sweetheart, you look paler than usual. Are you okay?" She asked. "Of course I'm fine, love. Why would you ask me that?" Paul asked. "John said you've been acting strange for the past few days." Claire asked. "Honestly, Claire, there's nothing wrong with me!" Said Paul.

Claire looks on Paul's neck and notices two holes. "How long have you had those little marks?" She asked. "What little marks?" Paul asked. "You have two holes in your neck!" Said Claire. "Do I?" Asked Paul. "Yeah, look." Claire said. She picks up a small mirror and holds it up to Paul's neck. "Oh, I see them." He said. "Did something bite you?" Asked Claire. "Um... I actually fell into a bush and its thorns pricked my neck." Said Paul hesitantly. "Are you sure?" Claire asked. "I'm positive. Besides, it's not that bad." Paul said. "If you say so." Said Claire.

"Moving on from the holes in my neck, how would you like to hear the new song John and I wrote recently?" Asked Paul. "Sure. I'm up for a song." Claire said. Paul grabs his guitar and tunes it before singing.

I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her, too
I love her

She gives my everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her

A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

Claire claps for Paul after he finished singing. "I think that's the most beautiful song I've ever heard!" She said. "I'm glad you liked it, love. It's all about how I feel about you." Paul said. "Aww, Paulie!" Said Claire with a smile. She wraps Paul into a hug and kisses his cheek. "I love you!" She said. "I love you too, sweetie." Said Paul. He kisses Claire on her cheek back.

After a few minutes, Paul gets up to put his guitar away. Shortly thereafter, he puts his hand on his head in agony and collapses in a heap. "Paul!!!" Claire yelled. She runs over to her boyfriend and rolls him onto his back, only to realize he's unconscious. She gently taps on Paul's face. "Paul, darling, are you okay?" She asked. Paul didn't respond. Claire gently shakes him. "Honey, can you hear me?" She asked. No movement. Claire cradles her unconscious boyfriend into her arms. She strokes his hair gently and kisses his forehead. "Don't be dead, Paulie. Please wake up." She said as her voice cracked.

It took about ten minutes for Paul to regain consciousness. He slowly woke up as he felt Claire stroking his cheek with her thumb. "What... what happened?" He asked weakly. "You fainted, sweetie." Said Claire. "What caused it?" Paul asked. "I saw you holding your head. Do you have a headache?" Claire asked. "I think I do." Said Paul.

Claire helps her boyfriend to his feet and guides him to the couch, gently laying him down. "I'll get you some aspirin." She said. Paul nods as Claire retrieves his headache reliever. She hands it to Paul and he takes his aspirin. "Hopefully that'll help." Said Claire. "It should. Thanks, Claire." Paul said. "Would you like me to stay with you for a while longer?" Claire asked. "Yes, please." Said Paul.

As she kneels next to Paul, Claire gently strokes his hair again and sings a song to him.

Lay your head, down to bed
Let your slumber sweep your cares away
In your dreams, chase moonbeams
All the way across the milky way

And as you rest in the nest
That we've made for you
We'll caress and keep you blessed
Never alone for the whole night through

Go to sleep, don't your weep
Tomorrow's gonna be
Tomorrow's gonna be
Tomorrow's gonna be a brand-new day

And as you rest in the nest
That we've made for you
We'll caress and keep you blessed
Never alone for the whole night through

Go to sleep, don't you weep
Tomorrow's gonna be
Tomorrow's gonna be
Tomorrow's gonna be a brand-new day

Claire watched as Paul's eyes slowly closed while her soothing lullaby made him feel sleepy. She leans close and kisses his cheek. "Sleep well, Paul. I love you." She whispered. Claire gently lays a blanket on her sleeping boyfriend before exiting his house to let him sleep in peace.

Here's the song Claire sang to Paul. It's called Never Alone (Eeyore's Lullaby) and is sung by Tyler Collins. I don't know when it came out in real life, but I do know it's not a 60's song. As usual, let's pretend it is for the story. Tap the thumbnail to hear this relaxing song. ~ Amanda