I gazed at John's boyish face. His twinkling eyes, his fun-loving grin, his crow-beak nose. I thought back to the way things used to be. Things used to go just brilliantly--once or twice a week we would have a nice meal at my flat, every now-and-then we'd got to a local gaff, and I would always go and see him and his little skiffle band, the Quarrymen, play. But things had gotten so complicated since then. Our relationship was moving at an uncomfortable speed and, ever since the Quarrymen had evolved into the Beatles, we hadn't been seeing much of each other at all.

"Chip?" John's cute voice suddenly broke into my thoughts. I instantly snapped to attention.

"Wha'?" I murmured.

A lop-sided smile tip-toed across his face. "Here, Cindi" he offered, plunging the cold chip into his ketchup and holding it out for me.

I took a reluctant nibble. "Ew! Chips are grotty!" I thought to myself, choking down the tiny bite.

"Oh! Whoa, I gotta go!" John realized, glancing at his wristwatch and stuffing the remains of the chip in his mouth. "Now don't forget, you promised to come see me play at the Cavern today. Noon. Remember."

"I know, I know," I giggled, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"If you liked the Quarrymen, you'll love the Beatles," he bragged. "We're the fabmost."

"I'll be there," I reassured him with a grin.

"Afterwards I'll take you out for a cuppa," he vowed, tossing some quid on the table. He gave me a not-so-quick kiss on the lips, and without another word, rushed out the door.

"Yeah," I muttered under my breath. Letting out a heavy sigh, I stood up.

"You okay?" Tyler asked, coming up behind me and setting his hand on my shoulder. Tyler was a close mate from school, and I loved to hang out with him.

I dropped my crumbled napkin on the table and grabbed my jean jacket. "Uh-huh," I liked."I'm fine."

He began clearing John and my dishes from the table. "Sooo... You busy tonight?"

I playfully jabbed him in the side. "Yes. I am busy and no John and I did not break up."

"I didn't ask if you two broke up," he teased.

"Yes you did," I said, softly smiling.

He winked. "Maybe next time."

"Maybe not." I laughed.

"Have fun at your party deal tonight!" he called as I walked away.

"Party deal?" I mocked, pushing open the door and welcoming a fresh breeze.

He smiled.

I stepped outside and breathed in the crisp morning air. It was chilly out for July. My breakfast with John had turned out to be a drag. "I wish I'd stayed in bed," I mumbled. The harsh wind beat against my face and I hugged my crossed arms up against my middle. The tight pink t-shirt I was wearing didn't prove to be very warm.

I finally reached the bus stop, still deep in though. I pulled the sleeves of my jacket over my hands and leaned against the bus stop sign. "Come on, Cindi," I scolded. "You got to spend time with him, didn't you? And that's what you wanted, isn't it?" I took a deep breath and continued the argument with myself. "But still.... Oh I don't know! I finally get what I want and I'm still not satisfied. I just wish John wasn't so mysterious. Why can't he open up to me? I'll never understand guys!"

"If it makes you feel better--" a voice came from behind me. I spun around and saw someone sitting on the bench behind me. "No one understands guys— not even guys."

"How long have you been there?" I asked, anxiously throwing my shoulders back.

"Long enough," he answered, smiling. He stood up and extended his hand. "I'm George Harrison."

"I'm Cindi Barnard," I replied, timidly shaking his hand.

"Ahhh," he mused.

"Ah what?" I demanded.

"You're Lennon's bird." He made a little head gesture.

I began to relax. "And you are?"

The lead guitarist for the Beatles." He finished my sentence for me.

"Oh," I nodded.

"Here's the bus," George prompted. He grabbed his guitar, hopped onto the bus, and helped me on.

"So," he continued as we made our way onto the top deck, "You're coming to our show, right? John said you were coming. Everyone's just dyin' to meet ya."

"Everyone?" I responded, blushing.

"Y'know," George resumed, "Pete,, Paul, Brian... everyone."

"Mm," I nodded.

"Anyway, you're gonna love us!" he boasted. "We're the gear!"

I smiled. He reminded me of John.

For the rest of the ride, George told me about himself.

"Here's where I get off." I announced, standing up.

"All right," he replied. "See ya later."

Hopping off the bus, I waved goodbye.

"How was breakfast?" Mum asked as I walked into the house.

I groaned and took my jacket off. "It was dragstuff. I'm gettin' real cheesed off with the way things are going."

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear," she emphasized, giving me a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I leaned my head against her shoulder.

My older brother, Kevin, and his friends burst through the front door.

"Hey, little sis," he twitted, giving me a gruff pat on the head.

I shot him a disapproving glance.

Mom looked at us with pleading eyes. She couldn't very well say, "Get along or I'll send you to your rooms," anymore. Kevin, at 20, had just finished his second year of collage, and I, now 18, was going to start collage in the fall.

I returned her look with an apologetic one.

"You're grumpy this morning. Boy problems I presume," Kevin publicized, ignoring mum's efforts.

"Ah, belt rip," I snapped, also forgetting mum.

He laughed, and amused twinkle in his eyes.

"And for your information," I added, "John and I are getting along just fine!"

"Don't take it so seriously," Kevin advised. "He doesn't'."

"Oh? And why are you suddenly such an expert on guys?" I folded my arms across my chest.

"I am one," he grunted, puffing out his chest.

"I wouldn't brag about that."I twirled around and trotted briskly away.

"At least guys aren't so weird!" Kevin's friend, Ryan, yelled.

"And you wonder why you couldn't find a date to the prom!" shot back, opening my bedroom door.

Sitting down in front of my mirror, I pulled off the pink scrunchies that were holding my pig-tails. I grabbed my silver brush and began running it through my shoulder-length, blonde hair.

After careful consideration, I decided to wear my hair down, since that was the way John liked it. I took my comb and ran it through my hair and used a red ribbon for a headband.

"Now what to wear?" I thought, pushing my stool away from the white wooden dresser and making my way to my closet.

I slowly ran my fingers over all the cloths that where hanging up. Taking my time to decide, I selected a knee-length, red dress with daisies on it.

Carefully examining myself in my full-length mirror before I left, I scurried out of my room.

"Ohhh!" Kevin taunted, wrapping his arms around my neck and messing up my hair. "Don't you look nice?"

"Kevin!" I lectured. "I went to a lot of trouble to make it look right!"

"Looks better now if you ask me," he retorted.

"Well no one asked you," I fumed.

I quickly re-did my hair and rushed out the door.