Ten Petaled Rose

Chapter 6: Exhibit One

School started up again, only this time two things were different.

Ringo was still the same old Ringo, only now, he knew more about John than what necessarily made him comfortable.

And of course, John didn't say a damn thing to Paul.

Though, he didn't say anything to Pete, or Ivan, or Eric, so they blabbered away. Causing George and Paul to both leave like they had the week before. John felt like a shit, as usual, but just because he'd told Ringo about his mother, didn't mean he was going to tell George.

God forbid Paul found out.

Even if it explained why he was the way he was.

Especially when it came to him.

John would not admit it. But there was something about him. Something so gentle and inviting that he could hardly resist. But John was absolutely certain that if he gave in, he would somehow hurt Paul far worse than the irrelevant words of an irrelevant bully ever could. He wouldn't be able to help it.

Paul was the most beautiful artifact in a museum full of John's greatest envies. Posted and plastered with millions and millions of signs that read 'do not touch'.

So he didn't.

He kept his distance.

Very much looking forward to Epstein's party. Hopefully then he could drink off knowing what he'd told Ringo. Drink off the idea of Paul and how badly he wanted him. Drink off whatever it meant to be him. All of his problems. All his issues.

"How'd you make out?" Pete asked him, and for a moment, John almost forgot his lie. When they'd asked him to hang that Saturday, he'd told them he had a bird over, which meant of course that he had shagged her. Pete was obligated to ask, given the sex-god attitude John exuded.

"Well she left satisfied, I can tell ye that." John replied. Debonair smile causing Ringo to roll his eyes. Back to his old antics. As if he expected John's opening up to usher in a new era of vulnerability. Now realizing how stupid of an idea that was. Telling Ringo about his mother didn't erase the trauma. If anything, it made it that much more real.

"Who was it?" Eric asked, which Ringo thought might throw John off, but it didn't. Not every girl he shagged was from North Liverpool Academy. He could make up a name and they'd never know the difference.

"Was it Paulina?" Ivan sniggered, joined by the other two in laughter. Mocking Paul's feminine features, just as usual and unoriginal as they normally did. Though the mere mentioning of him caused John to take a breath and pause.

He had not expected that.

Caught off guard, as an infatuated blush spread across his face. Pete and the others were too preoccupied to notice, but not Ringo, who's eyes widened just a bit.

Did.. did John...like him?

Is that why he'd treated him like a prat since day one? Ringo couldn't imagine it. John was a lady killer. But clearly, something was there. John didn't blush over just anything. He was far too confident for that. For the time being, he kept it to himself. Not overly eager to peg John as the type.

Not that it mattered.

Beyond the absolute decimation of his popularity.

Ringo briefly wondered if John really cared.

*

The next day, John contemplated telling George what he'd told Ringo. Even if he didn't much act like it, he valued George's friendship, and it was more than obvious that it was fading.