“I can’t wait to ‘ave a girlfriend,” Paul had not shut up about the topic since John told them about Amie. Embellishing every detail of course.
“you wouldn’t know wot to do if yah did,” John just kept walking, Making sure to keep a few steps ahead.
“Would too,” Paul replied in protest, his voice squeaking in the process.
George nodded and laughed, “No, you wouldn’t.”
Paul stopped in the middle of the walk, “I know I can do betta then that,” he pointed at a couple across the street. The guy had his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
John had not been paying much attention to Paul’s little ranting, but did look up to see the street show.
His eyes narrowed.
He bolted across the street.
“Wot the ‘ell are you doin’?” he grabbed the girl’s arm and pulled her away from the other guy.
Paul and George’s eyes widened, and followed him across.
“Wot are you doin’?” the guy advanced.
“John!” Amie pulled her arm out of his grasp, taking a stance between the two, “Steven!” He glared between his girlfriend and this Steven who was with her, “Wot it this?” His eyes locked on Amie’s showing the fear and hurt he had.
Before she could respond, “Kick ‘is ass John!” Paul piped in, with an agreeable cheer from George breaking his lock with Amie.
Being a victim of his peers, John began rolling up his sleeves in preparation.
“W’o is this teddy?” Steven asked, he too preparing, advancing on John to the hoots and hollers of Paul and George and the small crowd gathering.
“Who you callin’ a teddy?” John gave Steven a push.
Steven laughed, “You. Teddy,” he pushed back.
The two continued back and fourth until Amie called out a cry of frustration, “STOP IT!” Gaining the attention of everyone, “He’s my brother!” she extended her shaking arm to point at Steven.
“Brother?” John stopped dead in his tracks to look at her. Unfortunately, Steven didn’t. His fist made full contact with John’s face. The force sending his down to the pavement. “John,” she dropped down next to him, running her fingers along the mark above his eye. “I didn’t…I didn’t know,” he stuttered through the words out of embarrassment, “So... sorry.”
“Of course you didn’t, you didn’t think, you didn’t ask,” she carefully soothed him. She looked up and directed her brother, “Go ‘ome to see mum.”
Steven looked at her and began to reply but Amie stopped him, just go ‘ome!” She turned her attentions back to John as he left.
She caressed his face again when he stopped her, grabbing her by the wrist. It was not as aggressive as before, but still firm enough to gain her complete attention.
“John…”she started but a shake of his head silenced her.
“I…I snapped,” he stammered out the words again, “I saw you with another man…and I would rather see you dead then that again.” The look in his eyes was weird – a mix of fear, pain, anger and affection.
The actual meaning of the words went right past her, it was the sentiment in his eyes that got her attention. “You won’t. I swear,” she leaned her forehead against his, whispering the words to him.
He took the opportunity of their closeness for a kiss, releasing her wrist to pull her closer.
“Way to go!” Paul and George whistled, watching the two.
John casted them the evil eye, “Bugger the ‘ell off!”
