I Know What It's Like To Be Dead | Beatles Fanfiction

Chapter 31

Chapter thirty-one

21st of December, 1962

The days went by and soon it was winter break, which meant I didn't have to go to college for a while. This meant I did go to work every evening. I worked at a very posh restaurant in central London. Whenever the restaurant was really busy, they'd call me, which was great. This way I was able to combine college and work. But during holidays, or whenever I just didn't have to attend college, I'd call them and ask them if I could work a few shifts in a row.

The boys had finished recording for this year. They had to go back to Abbey Road in february to finish their new album, but for the holidays they were all free. Ringo and George had both told me they were going back to Liverpool to visit their families, while Paul and John both stayed in London. At least that's what I thought.

"So you're going to Liverpool?" I asked John while I set down a cup of tea on the table and sat on the chair opposite to him.
"Yeah, I'm gonna visit Mimi. And uncle George, and mum." I nodded and took his hand over the table. I looked at our hands while our fingers entwined. "Are ye going to miss me?" John asked. I nodded without looking up at him. I heard him chuckle. "Ye 'ave Paul, luv. Ye can hang around with him, can't you?"
I looked up at John and smiled. "Yeah, but he's not you, is he? Besides, I don't know if me and Paul will ever get on the way we used to, y'know?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.
"I think it might be good if you two spend some time together, don't ye?" I shrugged and avoided the topic.

John motioned for me to come to him, as he pushed back his chair. I went over and sat on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. John nuzzled his face in my neck.
"I'm gonna miss ye too, y'know." He looked up at me. "Promise me ye won't do anything.. Stupid while I'm gone, yeah?" I just nodded and played with a strand of hair behind his ear.

"Alexandra?"
"Yes, Winston." I always called him that whenever he used my full name.
He sighed. "Please look me in the eye, and promise me."
I looked down at him and kissed the tip of his nose. "I promise, Lennon." He smiled and placed a kiss on my cheek. Even though he'd been coming to my flat a lot, and the other way around, we hadn't kissed yet. Not on the lips. I didn't feel quite comfortable, knowing that things weren't officially over yet between him and Hannah. Her stuff was still lying around at his place. I hadn't seen her ever since I ran into her at the park. I wondered if she was going back to Liverpool too, for Christmas.
I got up from John's lap and sat on my chair again. He sipped his tea and gave me a small smile.
"I think I might visit my family too this Christmas."
John put down his cup and raised his eyebrows. "What, are ye gonna follow me to Liverpool, now?" he said with a grin. I chuckled and shook my head.
"I've got family in London. My uncle John and his family." John nodded and shrugged.
".Maybe you could take your mum with ye?"

I shook my head. "Nah. They're a Jones family. My dad's side. Mum and uncle John never got along. Can't even remember the last time I visited them, but me and my cousin David, we've kept in touch. He wants to be a musician too."
"Well, why don't ye bring 'im along after Christmas? He could hang out with us. How old is he?" John inquired. I laughed a little and raised an eyebrow. "He's gonne be sixteen in January." John's smile dropped. "Never mind then." He said

I laughed and shook my head. "That's cold of you, Johnny boy." He gave me his signature smile and sipped his tea again. " 'is birthday is in January too, ye said?"
I nodded. "His is on the 8th, mine on the 7th. Maybe that's why we get along quite well." I said with a shrug. I stood up and grabbed the ashtray from the counter, along with a pack of cigarettes. I lit one and offered John one, who happily accepted. He took a long drag from his cigarette before saying "I'll give ye my autograph, maybe David will like that as an early birthday present." I laughed and tapped my cigarette above the ashtray. "He probably hasn't heard of you yet, Lennon." He shrugged and said with a grin "Tell 'im I'll be a fucking legend one day."

- that night -

I had received a call from the restaurant, right after John left my flat. As it was a friday night, it was awfully busy so they asked me to help out.
"Alex, table thirteen is waiting to have their order taken, could you do that please? I was right about to take my break when they came in." Michael, my colleague said while rolling his eyes. I nodded and smiled. " 'course Mike. Go ahead." He smiled back at me and gave me a kiss on my cheek, before thanking me and running to the back. I blushed and made my way over to table thirteen.

"Good evening, welcome at "The Creek" my name is Alexandra and I'll be your waitress tonight." I took my note pad and pencil out of my apron's pocket as I looked down at the couple.

"Paul?" He looked up from his menu card and smiled as he put it down. "Alex!" He got up and hugged me. He held me at an arm's length. "You never called me? I 'avent heard ye for two weeks." I nodded and glanced at the girl who was still sitting at the table.
Paul noticed and introduced me to her. "Alex, this is Rachel. Rachel, Alex." I nodded at her and gave her a small smile. "Nice to meet you." She smiled back at me. "Nice to meet you too, Alexandra."

There was a short awkward silence, while Paul sat back down on his chair. "So, can I take your orders?" I asked, with a forced smile.