A N G E L (Roger Daltrey)

Seventeen

Janice's POV

I walked over to the other room and let myself in. It was bigger than the one Roger and I had, with two double beds and a pull-out couch. I was glad to know no one had to share a bed.

I located the phone, which was on the nightstand between the two beds, and dialed Nancy's number. Truth be told, I probably couldn't recite it if someone asked me to. It's just muscle memory at this point.

I sat on the edge of one of the beds as I waited for her to pick up.

"Hello?" It was Edith.

"Hi Edith!" I exclaimed.

"Hi, Jannie. Is everything alright?"

"Super. Is Nancy around?"

"Yeah, let me holler."

There was the sound of her hand covering the receiver and then a muffled "NANCYYYYY!" I heard her remove her hand and then heavy footsteps. Nancy had always had the step of a herd of horses. Edith said "Phone for you, honey." and then Nance was on the line.

"Hey, who's this?" she asked in her "cool" voice.

"Who else would it be, doofus?" I giggled.

"Well I dunno. Some boy." she huffed, back to her regular tone.

"Are you expecting a call from some boy?" I asked.

"Miracles can happen." I could almost see her shrugging.

"It wouldn't even take a miracle, you're pretty and you know it." I said authoritatively.

"Ugh, whatever. How's it with the boys?" She asked.

"It's pretty groovy, we're having lots of fun. We went to Lou Manalti's." I kicked my feet against the bed.

"Was it as good as everyone says it is?"

"Oh for sure. Maybe you and me ought to do a trip here sometime."

Nancy giggled. "Maybe. If we ever get the money."

"Yeah." I sighed. "How are you? Missing me?"

"So much. Oh, and, uh, I'm kinda worried about something." Nancy sounded suddenly serious.

"Uh oh, what's going on?" I was immediately concerned.

"My period is a couple days late." She whispered.

"Well isn't it always a little wacky?" Butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

"Yeah, it could definitely still come. I'm just worried."

It was silent for a second.

"I'm sure it'll come." I finally said.

"Yeah." Nance replied. "What're you getting into tonight?"

"Uh, I dunno. Something. We don't really have a schedule, we're just kinda doing whatever."

"Sounds relaxing."

"Relaxing? With these boys? Not hardly. I'm having a real blast, though. Wish you were here with me." I said genuinely.

"I wish I was there, too. Ringo misses you by the way, he keeps looking for you. Here, I'll put him on."

I heard some shuffling and then the sound of Ringo's little pink nose snuffling into the phone. He made a little squeaking noise.

"Oh, hi Ringo! Hi kitty kitty. Aww, who's a good kitty? Who's a good little Ringo? Who's a—"

"Erm," Pete looked uncomfortable.

"Hey Nance, I gotta go. Pete just came in and it's his phone I'm using." I giggled.

"Oh okay, I'll talk at you later, then."

"Bye!" I turned to Pete then. "Sorry if I was taking too long, I didn't even hear you come in."

"Obviously. John had to lend me his key. Why were you, uh, baby-talking Ringo Starr?" He crossed the room and sat on the bed opposite me.

"Ah, it wasn't Ringo Starr, it was my best friend's kitten, who she named after him." I paused for a second. "Wait, did you think I was actually talking to Ringo Starr?"

"I don't know your life." Pete shrugged and laid down. "Now, I hate to force you out, but I'm going to try to sleep."

"Yeah. Sorry. Here, I'm putting your key on the table. Or do you want me to just give it to John?"

"Give it to John, there's only the two keys."

"Alright. I hope you feel better!"

Pete gave a dismissive grunt.

I left the room, shutting the light off on the way out.

I walked back into mine and Rog's room to find Keith attempting to force his way into John's lap and Roger lecturing them both.

"What is—no, actually, I'm not even gonna ask. John, here's your room key. Keith, Pete is trying to sleep in there, so you'd better be quiet or he'll knock your block off." I passed the key to John and then ushered them out of the room.

"I feel like a mother!" I sighed once it was just me and the lovely angel himself in sweet peace again.

"Yeh, that's how it is. Imagine how I must feel, dealin' with 'em all the time!" He took my hand and pulled me down onto the bed with him.

"I can't imagine!" I curled up against him, petting his face gently.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

"Not even. I don't think I'll be hungry again until breakfast. Why, are you hungry or something?" I returned.

"No, just making sure you're alright." He kissed my forehead and I smiled.

"I'm cool. What do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Hmm. Maybe we can see if any films are showing. And then perhaps the Dixie Square Mall? I saw something about it in the paper yesterday and it looks massive." He seemed like he had a plan.

"You know what else is massive?" I asked, lowering my voice in that way Nancy taught me.

"What?" Roger asked, grinning.

I leaned up to whisper in his ear.

"Elephants."

My laughter burst out before I could move away from his ear.

"Ow! Hey! Deafen me, why don't ya?" He laughed, shoving me.

"Yeah I think I will!" I yelled.

"Little girl!" He yelled back. He grabbed me and pinned me down, both of us laughing like lunatics.

"Ooh, 'little girl,' I like that!" I cackled.

"Then I'll be sure to never say it again!" He set to tickling me.

"Roger, Roger! No! Stop! No!" I kicked and writhed, but all to no avail. "No! No! Don't! Stop!"

"Don't stop?" He asked, tickling me harder.

I shrieked at the top of my lungs. "No, do stop! Really! Oh my god, I'm going to piss on you right now if you don't stop!"

He stopped immediately and I sprung up from the bed, dashing for the bathroom. Neither of us had stopped laughing.

"Ya done tickled the pee out of me!" I exclaimed from the toilet.

"Gross!" He cried.

After I finished, I went ahead and got in the shower. I felt like I had been sweating all day. Just a few seconds after getting in, I heard the bathroom door open.

"Hey!" Roger said, yanking the curtain open. He stood there smiling like a goon. "Without me?"