Have I kept you waiting in suspense? I hope so! So, I thought I'd update a little earlier than normal. You're welcome! Anyways, once again I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed my last chapter. Thank you Obscure Seance Rita, vickytmandy, Polly Loves Bob Dylan, and Ruby Smith for your wonderful reviews! Also, thank you to all my readers, even you pesky ones who don't review. I still love ya! So, without further ado…CHAPTER NINE!
Maggie ignored Penny. Frankly, she didn't care if John was trying to make her jealous or not. It wasn't important. Convincing George that John didn't bother her was important.
John walked into the den carrying a guitar case. A girl shorter than him with blonde, shoulder length hair followed behind him. She was wearing a black pencil skirt and a gray, short sleeve top. A small, black scarf was tied around her neck. Maggie thought her outfit was incredibly cute. I must find out where she shops! she thought to herself. Then it hit her. Omigosh! She's Cynthia! John's future wife!
John gestured to everyone and said, "Well, this is the lot. Lot, this is Cynthia."
"Hello," Cynthia said quietly.
Maggie decided to make her feel more comfortable.
"Cynthia, you can sit here," she said patting the cushion next to her. Penny had moved next to Paul on the other sofa. "I'm Maggie."
"Oh, thanks," she said with a grateful smile. She sat down next to Maggie.
"I luv your outfit, by the way," Maggie said.
"Oh, thank you," she said, "Not too posh?"
"No, not at all!" Maggie said reassuringly.
As she talked to Cynthia, Maggie noticed John glaring at her. What's his problem?
"So, Johnny, what are we gonna play?" Paul asked. He was oblivious to the fact that John wasn't paying any attention to him.
"Uh, what'd ya say?" John asked, looking over at Paul for the first time.
"I said, what are we gonna play?" he replied irritably.
"Oh, don't get ya panties in a twist, Macca," John said, "Can't I get me guitar out, first?" He sat down on the floor and opened the case he'd carried in with him. As he pulled out his acoustic guitar, George stood up.
"I'll be back. I gotta use the loo," George said. He winked at Maggie as he walked past her. She smiled back at him, but it quickly faded when she noticed John glaring at her again. Okay, maybe he's just staring at Cynthia…right?
When George had left the room, John immediately put his guitar down and stood up. "I'm gonna get somethin' ta drink," John said walking towards the kitchen.
"Oh, John could you get me somethin' as well?" Cynthia asked politely. But John acted as if he didn't hear her at all. He just continued into the kitchen without even looking at her. Oh, this poor girl…All the Hell he's gonna put her through…
"So, uh, Cynthia," Paul said, "How do ya know John?"
"We um go to the same art college together," she said, obviously still not over John ignoring her.
"Gear! I'm Paul by the way and this is me girl Penny," he said putting an arm around Penny.
"Nice ta meet you," Cynthia said. "Now, who was that other boy?"
"Well, you should probably ask Maggie that," he said teasing her.
"Oh, shut it Paul!" Maggie said laughing. "His name's George," she turned to Cynthia as she said it.
"But that's not all!" Paul said, "He's her boyfriend." He made kissy faces at Maggie after saying this.
"Oh, that's very mature," she said rolling her eyes.
The girls started laughing at Paul. He looked ridiculous when he made those faces. Suddenly, there was yelling coming from the kitchen. Then, a loud thud. Everyone rushed toward the kitchen.
Maggie was the first to enter the room. She was not expecting what she saw next. On the floor was George with a bloody nose and John standing over him. Maggie gasped at the sight of George.
"Mags, I'm fine," George said as he tried to wipe the blood off his face.
"You are not fine!" Maggie said grabbing a cloth off of the counter and rushing over to him.
Paul, Penny and Cynthia walked in as Maggie began cleaning the blood off George's face. The girls gasped as their eyes fell on George. Paul just sighed heavily.
"Blast it, John," he said to the ceiling.
"What?" John growled. His eyes burned with fury; his face a crimson shade of red. Maggie hadn't looked at him when she'd first entered the kitchen. Now that she got a good look at him, she knew it was better to stay quiet. It was impossible to tell when or who John would strike next.
"John," Cynthia said quietly, "I think we should go."
"Stay outta of this, Cyn!" John yelled at her. Cynthia looked down at her feet, her face turning a bright red.
Maggie narrowed her eyes at John. She despised it when men acted as if they owned women. But she knew it would be unwise to intervene. It was too dangerous. John was past his boiling point and only Paul could possibly calm him down.
"No, I think she's right," Paul said making direct eye contact with John, "We can rehearse t'morrow."
"Why should I hafta leave?" John fumed. "S'not me fault the kid can't take a hit!"
That did it. George quickly rose to his feet. He despised it when John treated him as an inferior.
"George, stop!" Maggie pleaded. She tried to hold him back, but for the skinny kid that he was, he was actually strong.
"Yeah, listen to Mags," John ensnared.
George broke free from Maggie's grip on his shoulder. "Please, George. He's not worth it!" He stopped as he was about to move toward John. He stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him instead. Maggie ran after him following him out of the house. He was walking quickly up the street.
"George! Wait!" she called as she caught up to him.
George continued walking as she fell into step alongside him. He wouldn't look at her.
"George, I'm sorry!" Maggie entreated him. "I had no idea he was gonna do that."
"Well, it still 'appened, yeah?" he said coldly. Maggie was in shock; she hadn't expected him to be so brash with her.
"That doesn't mean it's my fault, though," she quietly defended herself.
"I know!" George exclaimed as he suddenly stopped walking and turned to face her. "But, I…I can't keep doin' this, Mags." He sounded tired as he said this.
Maggie could feel her heart slowly breaking. "Wha, what do you mean?" she said, tears blurring her eyes.
"No, Mags, don't cry," he said trying to comfort her. "I didn't mean it that way, it's just…" he trailed off.
"It's just what?" she cried as tears escaped her eyes. "You can't deal with me, is that it? I have too much bloody baggage?" she spitefully yelled at him.
"Maggie, no! That's not it at all!" he consoled her, taking her in his arms. She suddenly realized how cold she was. They'd both left their coats behind. George's arms felt warm and soothing around her.
"Th-then what is it?" she cried into his shirt.
"I need to confront 'im meself," he answered firmly.
"You don't need to do that for me," she said calming down.
"Mags, I'm doin' it for meself," he said looking down at her. "I can't let 'im treat me like a daft little kid anymore."
"Oh." She felt embarrassed. God, not everything's about you, ya know.
"Come on," he said, "Let's go get our coats, it's freezin' out 'ere." He kissed the top of her head and put his arm around her waist. Maggie wouldn't move, though.
"Maggie?" George asked, looking concerned.
"George, I can't go back there," she said shaking her head, "What if John's still there?"
"Oh, don't be so soft," he said, "We'll sneak in, grab our coats and be gone."
"Promise?"
"Promise," he said with a wink.
Wasn't that CRAAAZAAAY! I mean, come on, John! Really? Like punching George will fix things? And how can he be so rude to poor Cynthia! Don't cha just love how nice Maggie is to Cyn? And what about George? "I need to confront him myself!" Yeah! You do that! And Maggie? Even she's got some insecurities! What will happen next? Review if ya wanna find out! *hint hint* XOXOXO
