Author's Note: Happy New Year, my beloved readers! It's finally 2012! Let us all hope 2012 will be a better year - and the world won't end. This is the New Year chapter of Who Knows How Long I've Loved You? Enjoy, everybody, and thank you for your reviews :)

P.S. The fireworks are scaring my poor dog.

New Year's Eve

Paul's POV

It was New Year's Eve. I couldn't believe it's almost 1961! Time does fly so fast. And mum isn't here to witness all these. The lads and I threw a New Year's Eve party at a club somewhere in Liverpool, but it wasn't very far from our houses. I actually wanted to spend the last day of December and 1960 with me dad, but Eleanor was going to be there, so I decided to join the party.

Finally at the club, I saw Eleanor approaching the bar looking very nervous and shy. Same ol' Eleanor. I approached her quietly, and held her hand. She literally jumped, and turned to look at me.

"Paul, you gave me a fright!" she said, her face was all red.

"Sorry. I've been looking everywhere for you! You seem rather lost."

"I'm sorry, Paul. It's been a long time since I went to a club." She said, smiling nervously.

"S'alright. Come on, let's dance!"

I dragged her to the dance floor, and we started to dance to the fast beat of the song. I sang along to the song, and I bobbed my hand. She was giggling with glee, celebrating the last day of December and 1960.

"Are you having fun, Ellie?" I asked, twirling her around.

"Yes, I am. And you?"

"Loads of fun!"

She grinned at me, and her eyes were twinkling. Her eyes started to wander off, and looked over my shoulder. She was all smiles before she looked over my shoulder. What did she see?

"What is it this time?" I asked her with a smile.

"Those two love birds snogging." She said.

"I thought you don't fancy George anymore?"

"I don't, Paul. It's disturbing to see couples snog like that, you know!"

"Then you find it disturbing when you see me and Dot snog like that, eh?"

She rolled her eyes, and pursed her lips. "Yes."

"Do you want to snog like that?" I asked with interest.

She shrugged. "Sure, but not in public!"

"Why not?" I smirked.

She looked at me, and chuckled. "Oh, I know what you're thinking, Paul. No. I'm not going to snog you in public!" she said.

"I thought you want to be kissed?"

She shook her head, still smiling. "Not now." She said. "I'm not in the mood for kisses and all those lovey-dovey stuff. Disgusting!"

"This isn't like you at all!"

"Well, what am I like?" she asked, smirking.

"Uh...you know, you're usually...romantic," I said.

She raised an eyebrow. "Heh, well, I'm not like that now."

"What are you like now? Tell me."

"More serious. Not thinking about love. No boys." I said.

"Well, that's a shame. I heard someone from school fancies you."

Her eyes widened. "Really? Who?"

I laughed at her sudden shock. "I'm just kidding, love!" I said, and she stuck out her tongue at me.

"Stop harassing me, Paul." She said, and then looked away from me.

"Hey, it's fun harassing you, all right? I blame you for being so...harassable."

"That's not even a word!"

"It is if I say it."

She looked at me, and I smiling at her like a proud rooster. Yes, I know I was very cocky and cheeky. But I loved to be cocky and cheeky when she's around. She rolled her eyes, and looked away from me again.

George's POV

I was having lots of fun with Ruth, and we were kissing on the dance floor, and didn't care about anything in the world. It was very strange of me to do so, but I was very in love with her. And I couldn't control my hormones, alright?

"I'll be back in a while, George," she said, "I'm going to the ladies' room."

"I'll be waiting for you," I said with a smile as she walked away from my sight.

I put my hands in my pockets, and I turned to look at a table where I saw John, Cynthia, and Eleanor talking to each other with smiles on their faces. It was the first time tonight to see Eleanor alone without Paul, you know? And I was very glad to see her not being with Paul.

Unexpectedly, John and Cynthia left her alone on the table for a dance. I could see my chance to talk to Eleanor. With Ruth in the ladies' room, Paul nowhere to be found, John and Cynthia going for a dance. I could see why not? I approached her slowly, and I saw her looking at me. She turned her head away quickly. She was so cute when she's shy.

"Hello, Eleanor." I greeted her with a loud voice so she could hear.

She looked up from her fingers, but she didn't smile when she saw me. "Oh, hello, George," she said, her voice was straight. "What can I do for you, hm?"

"Uh, listen, I need to speak with you for a moment." I said.

"Aren't we speaking now?"

"Privately?"

"What for?"

"Please?"

"Alright."

She stood up, and I hold her by the wrist as soon as she got up from the chair. I led her out of the club, and we walked to a dark and quiet alley. She leaned against a wall, and I stood before her feeling very nervous. I could feel cold sweat on my head.

"So, what is it George?" she asked.

"Eleanor, I…I…crap!" I said, and saw the opportunity right there. I held the back of her head with my hand, I leaned down, and finally kissed her! I, George Harrison, finally kissed Eleanor Walker on the lips! It felt really good to kiss her.

I parted my lips away from mine, and we looked at each other. I felt numb on the fingers, my hormones were rushing, and my heart was beating fast. Her face was red, and then she suddenly slapped me across my face.

"What did you do that for?" I asked, my hand on the slapped cheek.

"For kissing me, you ignorant twat!" I yelled. "You can't just ask me to talk to you privately, and then kiss me behind your girlfriend's back!"

"I thought you've always wanted that kiss?" I asked.

"No, George," she said, shaking her head. "I don't want your bloody kiss anymore, because you've broken my heart for the second time! I tried to be good to you and be in love with you again, but…I just…I just can't." Tears were forming in her eyes.

"Eleanor…" I said softly, approaching her slowly. "I'm sorry that I've been such an arse."

She hugged me, and rested her chin on my shoulder. I could feel her warm breath on my ear, and I could hear her quietly crying.

"George, I do like you…I really do," she said, letting me go. "But I just don't fancy you anymore like before when I was still…very young and naïve." She sighed. "I'm sorry, George. I don't mean to be the heartbreaker this time…but you do need to know how…shitty it feels like to be broken-hearted."

She walked away, and left me all alone. She was right. It really did feel shitty to be broken-hearted. I need to apologize to the girl. But she might not want to speak to me. Oh, George, what have you done?

Eleanor's POV

I walked down the street while wiping the tears with the back of my hand. I walked back in to the club to get my things so I could go home.

"Eleanor, are you okay?" Paul asked me.

I smiled at him. "Yes, I am," I lied.

"No, you don't look okay," he said.

"Paul, for God's sake, I am fine!" I insisted.

"No, you're not," he said. "Please, tell me what happened."

I sighed, and looked down to the floor.

"Look, guys, I think I'm going to go ahead with Eleanor," Paul said to his pals.

"So soon, Paul and Eleanor?" Cynthia asked.

"Yeah, we're very tired, and I don't want my dear Eleanor to go home alone," said Paul. "G'night, everyone."

"Night, lovebirds," said John, and he chuckled.

Paul and I walked out of the club, and bumped into George. I sighed, and rolled my eyes.

"Bye, George, have a good night," said Paul.

"Thanks, mate. You too." Said George. "Bye, Eleanor."

"Bye, George." I said softly with a straight face without looking at him.

Paul and I walked down the street hand-in-hand together with silence around us even though it was New Year's Eve. People were already trying their fireworks.

"For Christ's sake, it's not even New Year yet!" said Paul, and laughed.

I didn't say anything, and kept my frown. He poked my cheek, and I winced.

"Hey," he said softly, "what's with the frown?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"There's something going on, alright. And you have to tell me, because I'm your best mate."

I shook my head again. "You won't understand."

"Try me."

A tear streamed down my face, and I wiped it with the back of my hand. He decided to go to the nearest park where we could talk about what was going on in my mind.

A few people were in the park with picnic blankets and baskets, having a New Year's Eve picnic with their lovers or family. Paul tried to find a quiet spot where we could stay and talk. We sat on a bench under a really huge shady tree, and it was really cool being under it.

"Tell me, now," he said, looking at me.

I sighed. "It's George." I said. "He's driving me mad, Paul!"

He touched my lower lip. "Your lips are red," he said.

I looked away.

"He kissed you, didn't he?" he asked, and I nodded my head slowly.

"Why is he in love with me?" I asked him softly.

"Why wouldn't he be in love with you?" he asked me back. "I mean, come on, Eleanor! Look at yourself! You're still beautiful even though you wear your glasses at certain times. Your dark eyes sparkle all the time, and…you have a nice pair of lips. Red, kissable lips."

I gave a scoffing laugh. I looked at him, and gave a small smile. "Thank you, Paul," I said. "Thank you for your kind words about me."

"What, it's true, isn't it?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. I leaned back against the bench, and rested my head on his shoulder as I looked at the dark starry skies. He wrapped his arm around me, and rubbed my arm.

"Now what am I going to do with George?" I asked him.

"Ignore him." He said. "Just ignore him."

I nodded my head. "I'll try to, Paulie."

I heard a few people saying, "It's almost midnight, everybody!", in the park. I looked at Paul, and he gave me an assuring smile. He glanced at his wristwatch, and said a long: "Oh…"

"What is it, Paulie?" I asked.

"Fifteen seconds until midnight." He said, smiling. "Fourteen…thirteen…twelve…eleven…ten…come on, count along, Eleanor!"

I smiled at him. "Eight…seven…"

"Six…five…"

"Four…three…"

"Two…"

"One!"

Fireworks blasted in the starry skies, and people watched the fireworks in awe. Paul and I looked up, and we were both very amazed at how amazing the fireworks were. He stood up from the bench, dragging me up, and he danced around while holding me tight.

"Paul, what are you doing?" I asked him, giggling.

"Dancing!" he said. "It's New Year, Eleanor! Dance!"

I said, and waltzed across the field with him.

"Happy New Year, Eleanor!" he said to me with his handsome grin.

I never noticed how handsome he looked under the moonlight. I smiled at how handsome he was. "Happy New Year, Paulie." I said, and attacked him with a bear hug. "I can't believe it's 1961 already!"

"Time goes by so fast, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does!" I said, grinning. "Lovely! Let's hope this year is better than last year!"

After all that, Paul took me home. We passed by a cemetery, and then he suddenly stopped. I looked at him with a puzzled look.

"Let's go there, shall we?" he asked, gesturing at the cemetery.

"What for?" I asked back.

"To tell my mother it's 1961 already." He said with a sad sigh.

I hesitated. "Alright, let's go. But if I see something, I'm going to leave you alone and run for my life." I said. "And if I have nightmares tonight, I swear I will blame you in the morning."

He laughed, and wrapped his arm on the back of my waist. "Alright, love. Let's go in."

He opened the gate, and we walked down the path of the cemetery quietly. I squeezed Paul's hand, and the hairs on my hands were standing. It was very dark and quiet. I didn't like it one bit.

"Paul, I'm scared," I whispered.

"Hey, at least we're not a couple sneaking in the cemetery to do something naughty," he said, and then snickered.

"Very funny, Paul," I said, rolling my hands.

He suddenly stopped, and I stood behind him. "Did you hear that?" he asked.

"Hear what?" I asked.

"That."

We became silent to hear what was that sound he heard.

"Paul, I don't hear anything!" I said.

"Oh, well, let's go then," he said.

We continued walking down the cemetery. I squeezed Paul's hand again when I heard a faint giggle. I glanced behind my back, but all I saw were gravestones. I looked forward, and closed my eyes so I wouldn't see anything scary.

"Eleanor?" he asked.

"Y-yes, Paul?"

"Nothing. Just checking. Ah! There it is!"

We stopped walking, and I remained standing behind Paul. I slowly opened my eyes, and I saw Paul's mother's name carved on the gravestone.

"If only she was here," he sighed.

I set my hand on his shoulder. "It's all right, Paul," I said, trying to cheer him up.

We stayed there for three minutes, and then I heard footsteps approaching. I tugged at Paul's jacket, and pulled it.

"What is it?" he asked, turning around.

"I don't know, Paul, but I heard something," I said.

"There's a ghost behind you." He said.

"Oh, come on, Paul! It's not funny!" I said, and he laughed.

"Come on, I'll take you out of here," he said, holding my hand. "Goodbye, mum."

We walked down the path, and I looked at my left and then right. I saw my name—only first name—carved on the gravestone. I stopped, and pulled Paul to me.

"Paul, do you know who…Eleanor Rigby is?" I asked, observing the gravestone.

"Oh, yes, I do," he said, nodding his head. "She's the woman who will be standing in the corner of your bedroom tonight!"

I hit Paul's arm. "Seriously, Paul, it's not funny!"

He laughed. "It is to me." He said, and then his smile slowly faded. "Eleanor…Eleanor…"

"Paul, please don't scare me!" I said.

"Run, Ellie! Run!" He said, and started to run.

I followed behind him, and I ran as fast as I could. I started to pant as I ran behind him, and holding his hand really hard. I could feel someone was watching us, and I needed to get out of there. We were finally out of the cemetery, and we wouldn't care if we forgot to close the gates or not.

"Paul…Paul…stop…" I panted.

He stopped running, and we both panted. Cold sweat was gathering on my forehead, and I wiped them off with the back of my hand.

"What did…what did you see?" I asked, still panting.

"Nothing. I just wanted to scare you." He said, and then laughed again.

"That's it! I will never go to cemeteries again with you!" I said, hitting his arm really hard while he was still laughing.

"Alright, alright! I've learned my lesson!" He said, grinning.

Paul finally took me home. We held hands as we walked down my neighborhood. I was starting to think I should apologize to him for being so snappy earlier.

"I'm sorry about being so snappy before, Paul," I said softly. "I was quite upset after the George thing."

"Hey, it's all right. You don't have to apologize." He said, hugging me.

He walked me up to the front door, and we said our goodbyes. I grabbed his hand when he was about to walk away. He turned around, and looked at me with his eyebrows raised.

"Yes, Eleanor?" he asked.

I planted a kiss on the tip of his nose. We looked at each other with smiles on our faces. "Thank you for a lovely night, Paulie," I said, smiling.

"My pleasure." He said. "Bye, now."

"Bye-bye."

I walked in the house with a smile on my face. I climbed upstairs to my bedroom after locking the door, and went to bed with a smile. I wouldn't forget this wonderful night. And then I remembered of Eleanor Rigby.

"Stupid Paul," I mumbled.

Author's Note: That's all, folks! Have a pleasant New Year, yeah? And don't forget to review! Bye-bye, now!

All my love,

Fool on the Hill Far Far Away