After that eventful day, George kept on appearing in my life. He was becoming attached to me like visiting me every afternoon in Candy Kane. If grandpa was aware that George is our regular visitor, he didn't show it. Anyway, George tried to keep talking to me but I brushed him off. As always, he won't give up. One rainy afternoon, George was forced to stay longer in the shop than he did. We were alone and aside from saying, "hey" or "how are you," he asked one question that made me stop what I was doing.
"Tell me about yourself, Claudia," I blinked at him. George was shy. He doesn't asks a lot of questions 'cause he didn't want to pester me. On the contrary, I always ask George about himself. He answered them honestly. But this was different. Now I felt that I should return the favor for George.
"Well… there's nothing much to say…" I said skeptically. "Well, I used to live in Canada. I'm an orphan. My parents disappeared the face of the earth when I was fourteen. I moved here and live now with my grandpa. I have a younger brother but he lived with my other grandparents. I'm much of a nobody and I like art. I'm vegetarian all my life. One thing nobody knows is that I used to dance. My mom was a dancer and I followed her footsteps. I stopped dancing when she left me. Dancing just brings me painful memories," the words rushed out of my mouth. Talking about my pathetic and miserable life was painful. George was silent. I could see he was embarrassed a little by talking about a touchy subject. I smiled despite of my sadness inside.
"It's alright, really. I'm used to this… people asking me about my family." I stared at George's serious face for a while. He was wonderful to look at. Even if he caught me staring at him and playfully winking at me. I chuckled a bit, feeling better. I teasingly hit him on his elbow. He snickered, his face lightning up.
"well, you want some jelly babies Claudee?" he asked impishly. I sighed deeply. My younger brother used to call me Claudee which I really like. He was the only one who called me that name.
"You're like my brother," I said. "Calling me Claudee and always insisting me to eat candy for once in my life,"
"Well, it wouldn't hurt you to try," he pointed out.
I shook my head. "No way."
"Just one jelly?"
"Noooo…"
"Please? With asparagus on top?" He pouted. He had a pleading look in his eyes which made look so cute. I gave in.
"Alright. Just one. And no more." I giggled.
George happily shared his jelly baby to me. I later found out that George hates to part with his beloved food, so I was pleased when he willingly gave me some of his food.
"George Harrison, you're a bad influence," I teased him. I gingerly bit one and chewed it in my mouth. I never tasted my grandpa's candies so I can say; this tastes so great I forgot my own name.
"It's Claudia Thomas," he said quietly.
I widened my eyes. "Did I say that out loud?"
He grinned crookedly. "Course you did." I smiled back at him. Surprisingly, he pinched my cheeks. "You look very pretty when you smile. You should do it more often." Cheesy as it sounds, but I felt my heart fluttered when he said those words. "Thanks," I replied. I pinched his nose back. His face went closer to mine and I was so sure he would kiss me right then. (I wasn't ready for that.) But instead, he blinked like he was blinking away a sandstorm and nuzzled his nose in my cheek.
"Whatever was that?" I asked, dumbstruck.
"It's cute isn't it? I haven't tried giving that to anyone aside from my siblings," For the first time, I didn't know what to say. I smiled and thanked him again. Then I noticed two boys outside the shop, staring at us from the front glass window. George noticed them too.
"Oh, there they are. Paul and John," he took my hand and we both went outside. It was my first time to see them.
"We went here to buy some fine candy when we saw George." The one I assume was John said. "So George, she's your girlfriend?" I blushed. Girlfriend?!
"of course she is!" Paul (I suppose) rolled his eyes. "What do you call when George always bother to come here to talk to her? Haven't you been listening to his stories about her?" Paul smiled charmingly at me. "Hiya there! My name's Paul McCartney." He held out his hand. "And you're…?"
"Claudia Thomas," I shook his hand gratefully. I can't believe all this time George kept on mentioning about me. I wondered what he has to say about me. I caught sight of George looking envious at us. I dropped Paul's hand abruptly. Paul noticed this and blushed. "Oh, and er— 'tis my friend, John Lennon." John saluted and winked at me.
George cleared his throat. "Are you here to buy candy or what?" he asked irritably. Paul poked John. "Er, uhm… maybe next time." There was an awkward silence.
"I better go inside. I should really attend to my duties." I said awkwardly. George sighed sadly. "Uhm… bye for a while, Claudee." He waved and reluctantly followed his pals. They dragged him away.
"Bye, Claudia! See you again next time," Paul waved.
"Well, see you again never!" I stuck my tongue out at Paul and John.