AN: This isn't the best, but trying to build up to something without giving to much away is more difficult for me than it should be. Anyway, enjoy!
John's Point of View
I spent most of the day looking for a way to make everything right, but it was getting late now and I had to meet up with Paul and George and get to The Cavern. With our guitars on our backs we walked through the streets of Liverpool. At one point three girls approached us. They were fans that were at our shows every time we played. The same ones Cynthia had seen in the alley with us. That included the exact girl that Alice had accused me of replacing her with. I wish I could remember her name.
"Mind if we walk with you?" The girl with short hair asked. I knew this one was Dot. She and Paul had bit of romance going on.
He smiled at her, "Not at all, luv."
Iris walked nearest to George. They had been friends for a long time and she loved coming to see him play. This left the last girl to walk with me. I kept my hands in my trouser pockets as I walked. At one point I glanced down at her and noticed a swollen bruise on the side of her face that she tried to cover with makeup with little success. Alice must have really done a number on her. We both remained quiet while the others chatted.
At one point she clung to my arm and started giggling. I looked down at her and she continued her giggling and smiling. I thought she'd gone mad. That was until I looked ahead and noticed Alice walking by. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed the six of us. I pulled my arm away and took a few hurried steps toward Alice. I reached toward her, but she held her hand up in a 'stop' gesture. "John, I can't- I can't talk right now. I need to get home." She said and started walking away.
"Alice…" I called after her, but my voice sounded more pleading. It was too late. She was out of sight.
"Fuck!" I yelled and punched the wall next to me. Paul said something to the girls and they walked ahead of us.
"Are you all right, John?" George asked.
I opened and closed my hand a few times. "I'm fine. Let's just do this bloody show."
"What about yer hand? It looks pretty bad." Paul observed.
"I just need to clean the blood off." I started walking. They didn't mention it again the rest of the way.
The show was difficult to play. My hand was swelling quickly, but I was able to get through the numbers. As soon as I got home I had to put ice on it. I'll definitely be feeling this one in the morning.
A few days later…
I actually decided to go to my classes today. My hand was still messed up and I haven't been able to play guitar very well. I could get through the shows, but rehearsals were horrible. Unfortunately I had to sit near Catherine and Cynthia in one of the last classes. I tried my best to ignore their presence, but if there was one thing to know about Cat it was that she wouldn't be ignored. "What'd ye do to poor Thomas?" She asked as soon as she sat down. I ignored her. "He 'asn't been in since you were lookin' fer 'im." She continued. "Were ye gettin' even with Alice for punching yer new girl? What's her name? Oh, Sharon that's it. David told me-"
"Would you shut the fuck up?" I interrupted. She was taken aback. "I didn't do anything to 'im. I don't 'ave a new girl. Now stop the fuckin' questions." She remained quiet until right before the start of class.
"I just thought you should know that Thomas is gonna ask Alice to be his girlfriend." I felt the colour drain from my face and my stomach knot up.
I would have left the room right then, but the teacher was already in here. I was trapped for now. I wasn't exactly sure where I wanted to go yet. I didn't even know where to find Alice right now. I hadn't seen her since that night. She was either out or asleep when I was home.
The class seemed to last several lifetimes. When it was finally over I ran straight out the door of the building. Mendips had to be my first stop. I ran past Mimi right upstairs. Her door was closed as usual, but there was no answer when I knocked. I opened it and stepped inside. Nobody home. I took a piece of paper from her desk and scribbled a quick note.
Wonderland, we need to talk. The sooner the better. – Winston
That would have to do. I went back out to find her. The only person I found was George carrying a record. "John, look at what I just bought. Alice said she has the one already and it's a great album. Do ye think maybe I could sing a song or two from it?" I hardly listened to him.
"Yeah, that's great, George. I'm in a bit of a hurry right now though. Catch up later?"
"What's the rush?"
"I just…really need to find Alice right now."
"Oh, she's at the record shop. Where I just was. She told me to tell you 'Hello'. I thought it was weird since you live in the same house and all."
"You're a life saver, son." I walked by him and intended to keep going.
"Mind if I come along?" He asked. I stopped and turned back in frustration.
"You were just there!"
"I know, but I 'ave nothin' better to do."
"Fine. Come along, but hurry." I started jogging with George beside me.
"So, why didn't you think to check the place she works?"
"I don't know, all right?"
We reached the shop as Alice stepped outside. "George, weren't you just here?" She asked with a smile that dropped when she look at me. "John." She said in acknowledgement. Ouch.
"I ran into John 'ere and 'e insisted on comin' to see ye."
"Got a moment to talk?" I asked, trying not to sound as desperate as I was.
"Uh, actually no. I've got to meet some friends. I should be back around 9 though."
I shook my head. "We've got a show tonight."
"Oh, um, I guess we'll have to work something out. I'm sorry, but I've really got to go. See you two later I guess." She said and gave us a little wave, turned, and left. I wasn't sure if I wanted to scream or cry.