“The Cool” the title has no baring on the fic at all, except the fact that I used the bloody word enough in here!! Hahaha Finished: November 10, 2002
He laid with his head in her lap, relaxed enough to allow her to idly play with his hair. Only as long as she didn’t make too much of a mess. She to had become used to him; his mood swings, beginning to expect outbursts-even if they still frightened her. He had only snapped at her a few times over the past weeks, instantly apologising for it. They had their cycle, their pattern, them.
“Why do we always stay ‘ere?” he mused, feeling her fingers lightly brush through his hair.
“Donno, guess it’s me morbid fascination,” she shrugged a little with her own sense of humour – a passing comment.
John on the other hand seemed to dwell on it. His eyes glazed over in thought, seeping into dark thoughts and twisted imagery. Maybe he was the one morbidly fascinated, feeling more comfortable around the dead then the living.
The thought disturbed him, “Should get out of ‘ere,” he nodded, pulling himself up.
She looked up at him, wondering if his plan included her. He was much more withdrawn today.
“come on then,” he motioned his head for her to get up, pulling out a new cigarette.
“Where we going?” she questioned as she rose to stand next to him, happy that she was included.
That he had to think over. Where could he take her? Anything on Penny Lane was out, might run into his friends. What would she think if she saw he was friends with kids like Paul and the other one, George? She wouldn’t think he was cool then.
“Julia’s” he said with an affirming nod and drag on his cigarette.
The mere mention of another girl stung Amie and it showed in the shake in her voice, “Julia?”
“Yah, me mum,” he replied starting to walk away not waiting for her to follow.
Despite herself she sighed in relief, letting out a long breath, “So we going to your ‘ome?” playing on the assumption as she followed his out the yard.
“No,” he stopped and turned abruptly, facing her eye to eye, “Just her ‘ouse.” There wasn’t fierceness there, but a mix of shame and displacement which he hid with a lopsided grin, “She’s like ‘aving a sister,” again he turned for her to follow.
The distance across town was uneventful – silent. John kept a few steps in front of Amie, keeping the distance between the persona and person.
They stood on the stoop of a small, brick two storey house. He hesitated at the knob unsure if he should knock or walk right in. Looking back at Amie he thought it best to keep up the cool and walk in, like he does it all the time.
“Jules, you home?” he called upon entering, leading his quest in at his heels.
“John, that you?” the women in question sauntered into view from the kitchen, drink in hand and a welcoming smile on her face. She pulled the boy, her boy into a hug receiving a stiff, cool response, “See you brought company,” she smiled just as warmly at the unknown girl standing back behind her son.
Unsure of what was to be her next move Amie simply smiled and nodded, stepping farther into their family scene working up a cracked whisper to introduce herself.
“Isn’t she lovely,” Julia elbowed her son and winked, “Common in, don’t be shy luv.”
“We’re ‘ere for the night,” John informed her, them both actually.
“Mimi know?”
He gave an indifferent shake of his head as the phone rang,” Not ‘ere,” he instructed as she strided back to the kitchen to answer the phone, nodding at the request.
“Ello? No Mimi. ‘Aven’t seen him,” her voice drifted out to them, “No. I’m sure ‘e’s fine. ‘E’s just being a boy –“
John took hold of Amie’s arm, taking advantage of the moment alone and pulled her to the stairs, “Come on then.”
She relied only by obeying; taking in this scene: the house, the sister-mother, John and now his room. All the thinking was forced to cease as the warmth of his mouth took over her senses.
“mmm,” she pulled away slightly before her knees buckled under her. He had a way with his mouth. She had to take a moment to regain her barrings, catching the pout in his eyes. “I didn’t know WE were goin’ to be staying anywhere,” she admitted, putting the emphasis on we.
“You don’t ‘ave to stay then,” he turned both in mood and position.
She looked from the door to his back, the only part of him that faced her, and realized just what bringing her here ment. He had to be more hurt than angry with her.
“It’s too late to go ‘ome any’ow,” she shrugged, taking a shy seat on the bed. Again a nervous excitement came over her.
He looked back at her, “I’m tired,” he stated, slipping off his jacket and shoes.
“Alright,” Amie replied adjusting to this shift and the fact he was taking off his jeans now.
“Pick a side,” John told her with a smirk, speaking of the single bed.
“This is fine,” her voice was quiet as she spoke of the side she was already standing, riding herself of her shoes and sweater.
He pulled down the bed, taking only the slightest notice of her form under the undershirt she was now clothed in. “Hop in,” he said with his sly smile and wink, turning off the bedside lamp.
She did was he said, only without the actually hopping. She curled up into the small bed, feeling oddly comfortable with him, even if she had never actually spent the night in another person’s bed – with them.
They were still and silent for a while, only the sound of their breathing, then Julia’s steps in front of the door.
“We’re only sleeping,” John announced, guessing she had stopped to listen. They may act like brother and sister, but deep down she was his mother. The footsteps continued after that, and slowly the pair drifted off.
