Reasons To smile
Reason#2: When you find out you have something in common with someone.
CHAPTER TWO
The next morning the four lads got to sleep in— a rare treat as they usually spent their mornings at the recording studio, working on a new song or two. Today they woke up just before noon and dressed immediately. They had a late afternoon gig-a rehearsal for a tv show—and if they weren't ready in time, their road manager Mal Evans, would skin them alive. Fortunately there were dressed and accounted for in time and still had a little under an hour to spare before they would have to leave. Ringo and Paul decided to finish off their fan letters from yesterday while George sat down to tune his guitar. John sat next to him, shuffling a deck of cards in his hands. He gave his band mates a cheeky smile.
"How about a game boys?" He asked them, shuffling the cards from his right hand to his left.
"I already lost fifteen pounds yesterday John" George refused quickly, "I'd rather not if you don't mind"
John put the cards back into his pocket and lit a cigarette, "I guess I'll go give Bri a visit then. Anyone want to come along?"
"Don't you mean give Cher a visit?" Paul corrected knowingly as John grinned his devilish smile.
"She was interesting—you've got to admit that" John replied, thinking of yesterday. Brian's morbid daughter was very...peculiar. Nothing like her father.
"She was bonkers" Paul replied licking a stamp before smacking it onto an envelope, "What was all that Lucinda rubbish anyway?"
"She obviously doesn't get along with Brian" George answered him sensibly, "She probably made it up to drive him mad"
"Hey John, have you ever met Mrs Epstein?" Ringo asked him suddenly, frowning, "I haven't"
John shook his head, "They divorced right before I met the crack. I've never seen his daughter before either"
"I think she's spoilt" Paul declared firmly shaking his head, "She was very rude to Eppy"
"But you don't know her" George told him wisely giving a small smile at Paul's rashness, "You really ought to give her a chance before you judge her"
"Lenny here can be a real tosser to Eppy 'swell" Ringo remarked as John smirked and popped his collar in satisfaction, "He's no less than her"
John stood up and gave a little tip of his leather cap, "We'll I'm going to pay the crack and his crack daughter a visit. Anyone's gonna join me?"
George stood up and grabbed his jacket, "I might as well. Got to show Eppy a new tune I've been working on"
"Geo do you really think she's your type?" Paul asked him looking alarmed at the very prospect of meeting yesterdays nut-case .
George let out a chuckle at Paul's worried expression, "I'm not going to propose to her Paul. I'm only just popping in to say hi"
John and George made their way to Brian's suite which was across the hallway. John knocked on the door three times, and then started kicking it with his feet when no one answered.
"Open this door before I kick it open myself" John called as he banged on the door dramatically, "I've got a gun and I'm bloody well not afraid to use it"
"John stop making that racket" Brian stated in an annoyed voice as he opened the door and beckoned them inside, "You'll get us all kicked out of the hotel"
"Eppy, where's yer prisoner?" John asked him, looking for the dark haired lass.
"In her room sulking no less" Brian replied and saw George behind John with his guitar, "oh hello George"
" 'Ello. Listen Brian, I've got a tune sorted for 'She Loves You'. Here, have a listen" George told him and began playing it for his manager who listened attentively.
John wandered off towards the kitchenette and found Cher's room near the living room. He guessed it was her's, since he could hear loud music being played from behind the doonr. John knocked twice before entering and found the dark-haired girl sitting sideways in an armed chair, her feet dangling from the side. She was reading a magazine and didn't even look up as he entered her room.
"Go away" she called, as she flipped a page lazily.
"Even me?" John asked as he sat on her bed and studied her room. It was a right mess which was weird since she had only arrived yesterday. Old records were messily scattered around the room, there was a small explosion of clothes in the corner. He gave a small smile, the room looked exactly like his-if not worse.
Cher looked up and raised an eyebrow, "You're the mad boy my dad told me about"
John gave her his trademark smile, "You're the weird prisoner Brian keeps locked up in the cellar"
"Could you help me escape?" She asked him earnestly and threw her magazine on the floor, "I'm being held hostage against my will"
John tipped his cap and gave her a charming look, "I always save a damsel in distress"
Cher laughed as she stood up and placed a record in her turntable. Soon rock and roll music filled the room. John nodded along to the beat before asking, "Who's that?"
"The Kinks" Cher replied handing him the album sleeve, "London band. Very good. Very Rock N Roll"
John studied the sleeve. It was a rock n roll album and on the cover were four English-looking boys. He made a mental note of the band's name before he carelessly tossed the sleeve to the side.
"Not bad" John told her and then looked curious, "What else are you into?"
"Elvis. Buddy Holly. Roy Orbison, that lot" she told him as she grabbed a jacket from the pile of clothes on the floor, "Ray Charles. Neil Diamond"
John nodded his approval. He noticed that she had slipped her shoes on and had grabbed a bag as well.
"You off somewhere?" He asked interestedly as he leaned against her bed post..
"Going around London with a few mates" she told him smirking, "Then to a Kinks gig later"
John gave her a look of mock sadness and pouted, "You mean you aren't coming to our rehearsal today?"
Cher laughed, "Yeah right. I don't want to be bombarded with a bunch of hormonal girls. No thanks"
The door opened and Brian entered the room, he looked unfazed by the mess but gave John and Cher a withering look, "What schemes have the two of you been planning now?"
Cher gave him a sweet smile, "We're planning a bit of a surprise for the rehearsal today, if you must know"
Brian glared at the two of them, "Lennon, Cher. If you two do anything remotely harmful I'll cripple ya both"
John gave Cher a confused glance but she winked at him, letting him know she was only joking. He nodded as he understood her plan; she was only winding Brian up. She wasn't even going to be at the rehearsal, as she had said so herself, she was only messing with him. John grinned at her sneaky ways, Brian was right about one thing, she was very much like himself.
"I'm afraid that's child abuse" John told Brian, pretending to glare at him as he folding his arms.
"You ain't no child" Brian retorted without missing a beat, giving John a Look.
"Cher here is" George pipped up as he stepped behind Brian.
"Oh hello, George was it?" Cher asked and gave him a little wave. He gave her a small smile in return.
"These two are rascals. Not children" Brian grumbled, shaking his head, "Blood devils in disguise"
Not the worlds most interesting chapter but an important one nonetheless. It shows the boys reaction to Cher as well as Cher&John's friendship. The Kinks are a great band from the 60's; check them. Cher's name is pronounced as "share" in case anyone was confused.
Guest Review Reply: THEDREAMER: I don't understand what you meant by "for something that considered mary-sue of Beatles fics". Do you mean that my story's Mary-Sue ish or that ATU fanfic's are mainly Mary Sue ish? Thanks for the review though :) x
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