⇾𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐈𝐈

Chapter Thirty-Five: Guitar and Pen

March 8, 1967

John's POV

When Brian had left, I helped Donna up to our bedroom, and it wasn't long before she'd fallen asleep. I wasn't really sure what to do then, so I found myself going out onto the front porch and just sitting down to think everything over.

I brought a guitar with me because it was the first thing I could get my hands on and I just began to strum it, not really knowing what I was doing. After a few moments, I noticed a pair of girls come up to the gate. When they noticed me, their faces perked up.

Without hesitation, I stood up and sat the guitar aside, beginning the walk toward the gate to greet them. I was desperate for a diversion. I feared that if I were left alone too long, I'd worry myself to death over Yoko. I didn't know how long I could keep it a secret. Now had just suddenly become a horrible time to bring it up.

When I reached the gate, I smiled at the two girls who were waiting. They both had a look of shock. They always did. It really was rare that I ever went to say hello to them. As a result, most of them only came to get a glimpse of me. When I came up to them, it was the last thing they'd expect it, so they didn't ever have a clue what to do. I was usually the one that had to start the conversations. And today wasn't any different.

"How's your day going?" I blurted before I could think anything through

"Uh—," began one of them.

"It's good," said the other quickly.

"Well, what brings you here?" I asked.

"Uh...well, we were actually just on the way to buy your new record. She's not from here, so we were just gonna walk by here."

"No real reason," added the other.

"Well," I said thoughtfully. "How about I help you two out?" I smiled.

"How so?" asked one curiously.

"Wait right here and I'll be straight back." They nodded, seeming to be glued to the spots they were standing on. I don't think they could have moved even if they wanted to.

I turned and went back to the house as quick as I could. I went upstairs to the music room I had up there and showed myself to the handful of the singles I had in my possession and took two before scribbling a signature on them. I was quiet, knowing that Donna was sleeping just across the hall.

When I returned to the girls, I slid the records through the bars of the gate. They froze. "Just gonna leave 'em there, are you?" I asked amusedly.

"A-are you sure?" one of them asked.

"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have gone and got them, silly."

They tentatively took them out of my hands, beaming. "Thank you so much," said one of them, and the other nodded.

"Oh, well, no need to thank me. It's my pleasure. Thank you for enjoying it." The three of us averted our attention when a car began to pull up. Inside, I could just make out Paul. "And, there. You can get Paul to sign the other side," I added with a little chuckle. "Just peachy. Paul, come on over."

Paul jerked his head up as if he hadn't noticed us. When he saw the two fans in front of me, he smiled and began to come over. "What have we here?" he asked.

"What're your names?" I asked in turn.

"I'm Amber, and this is Janice," said one of the girls. The other girl, Janice, nodded.

"Beautiful names," commented Paul with a charming little smile that always sent thousands of girls into hysteria.

"Thanks," giggled Janice.

"We've been listening to you since you released 'Love Me Do,'" said Amber. Paul and I gave them a surprised look.

"Have you now?"

"We have, and we've always enjoyed everything you put out."

"Well, thank you," said Paul. "Would you like those signed?"

~~~

We spent a few more minutes talking to Amber and Janice before they went on their ways and we pulled Paul's car past the gate and parked it in the driveway. I still had no idea what he was doing here.

"Why are you here?" I asked curiously.

"Well, I figured I could stop by and make sure Donna's doing alright, and then I've started a song and I need some help. Figured you might be up for it."

"Well, I'll have a bash," I responded. "Donna's upstairs. She's been put on bed rest."

"Yeah? I bet that's got you all excited." He cocked an eyebrow, curling the left side of his mouth up into a smirk.

"Fuck. You," I quipped, going toward the stairs. "Let me see if she's up."

"You do that, Johnny! I'll make myself at home."

"Oh, I know you will," I said as I disappeared upstairs.

Upon going into our bedroom, I found Donna writhing around in attempt to get comfortable.

"Need some help?" I offered. Her head shot up and when she saw me, she sat up and smiled.

"Where've you been, then?" she asked. I went over and sat down on the side of the bed at her feet.

"There were some fans out there. I thought I'd drop by and say hello to them. Then, Paul showed up wanting help with a song. I can send him away if you'd rather me be with you."

"No, no," she said quickly. "That's okay. You do that. I can stay up here and read."

"You sure?" I asked.

"Of course I am! You go do you. I'm fine."

"Well," I said, looking around. "Can I get you anything before I leave?"

"If you could be a dear and turn the TV on?" She grinned crookedly.

"Right," I said, standing up to fulfill the request. "I can go get something for dinner later if you'd like?"

"I can make something," she offered hopefully.

I pretended to think it over. "I can get pizza," I said persuasively, smiling dopily.

She frowned. "You know I can say no to that, you jerk."

I went back over to her and kissed her on the head. "That's why I proposed the idea," I whispered as I pulled back.

Her lips were curled down extensively. "Go downstairs and work with Paul before I push you out that window." She nodded to the window in the corner of the room.

"Right," I said. "I looove you."

"Looove you too," she said with a teasingly sarcastic smile.

~~~

Sorry I'm late😳 we took a surprise hiking trip and I was in dA middle of nOwHeRe with nO sErViCe