Isn't It Good?
So here's 12. I was going to put in another bit about Paul, but I haven't quite worked it out. So I'm saving it for lucky 13. lol.
Hope you like this & I can't wait to read your comments. =)
Part 12: Hopes and Dreams
Charlie tried her best not to act like a fangirl, but she also wanted to make sure that Paul took notice of her. She handed him a cup of punch."Sorry, this is all that's left. I hope it's alright."
"It's fine, love. Thanks." Paul said, trying to be polite. He took a sip and sat it on a side table. He thought that this "Charlie" didn't seem that bad, nothing special but certainly not the picture John had painted. Of course, he also had failed to mention she was a girl. One of the 'fangirls' at that, he'd learned to spot them a mile away. "Time to turn on the old McCartney charm," he thought.
She stood beside him, sipping her punch, unable to keep from watching his every move.
"So, Charlotte, did you say? What do you do?"
"Oh, I'm an actress. Well, a model/actress, I suppose. Our, mine and Sophie's, commercial debuts tonight. That's what this little shindig is about. And please, call me Charlie."
"Why? It's a fellow's name. And you," he said, looking her over, “are certainly not a fellow."
She giggled a bit. "Well, when you put it that way..."
He leaned back a bit, wondering what to say next. Charlie, feeling a little inquisitive, spoke.
"Paul, may I call you Paul?"
"Most everyone else does," he answered, matter-of-factly.
"Okay, Paul, if you don't mind me asking, how do you and John know Sophie? I mean, she hasn't mentioned you before and I can't imagine why she'd hide the fact."
The loaded questioned had been fired. Paul wished that he and John had come up with a story beforehand. He never felt comfortable lying.
"Well, it was just one of those chance meetings, you know. We," he paused, noticing John coming towards them, out of the corner of his eye, rarely before had he been so glad to see him. "Actually, I think John tells the story better than I do. Isn't that right John?"
"What's that?" John asked.
"Charlotte here wants to know how we met Sophie, and I said that you could tell the story much better than I could."
"Oh, well, she came to one of our shows, didn't she? A while back, it was though. Normally we don't really get to know the fans and stuff that well, but we were talking to a few of them afterwards and she seemed really nice. We all hit it off quite well, didn't we Paulie?"
"Yes, that's it. Not a very interesting story, but there you go."
"Funny, her never mentioning it, don't you think? I mean, if it was me, I certainly wouldn't hide the fact, unless," she looked at Paul, "I was keeping you all to myself."
"So what have you lot been talking about?" Sophie asked, joining them.
"Just how you met them and wondering why you haven't mentioned it before," Charlie answered.
"Oh, well, you know, one gets caught up in things and forgets," she said.
"Of course. I hope you don't mind us just barging in like this. We'd no idea you were having a party." John said.
"No, it's fine. As I said, tonight's our big debut. We're supposed to be in a commercial and,"
"Sophie! It's time!" Charlie suddenly shouted, rushing for the television, "Everyone, be quiet!" The room went silent as Charlie tuned to the station. All the eyes were on the set, except for a split second when Sophie glanced at John with excitement and anticipation. He held out his hand and she quickly grasped it, not thinking that someone might see.
---------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm going to murder that Max Blake! What an outrage! Don't you think it's an outrage, Sophie?" Charlie flared, wheeling around from the set as she switched it off.
Sophie quickly dropped John's hand just in time. "What? It's wasn't as bad as all that."
"Sophie Sedgwick, how could you take his side? It's terrible. We were hardly even on film; it's mostly just our hands holding the bottles. All that shooting and we're not on but a few seconds!"
"Charlie, calm down. What did you expect? It's a commercial. They're not selling us they're selling the product. Besides, there’ll be more spots for us to do."
Charlie heaved an exasperated sigh and stomped to an unoccupied chair. She sat, still fuming, with her head in her hands, seemingly plotting the director's demise.
"Well, I think your hands were wonderful," John said turning back to Sophie.
"Very funny, John. But thank you, and thank you," she paused slightly, "...both, for coming."
"Oh, no problem. Anything for such a dear friend," Paul said with a wink. He then squeezed his way through the once again crowded and noisy room to find Charlie. He wasn't sure what or why, but there was something about that girl that intrigued him.
"It looks like Charlie's going to get her birthday wish after all," Sophie said, more so to herself.
"What was that?" John asked.
"Oh nothing. Separate thought." She looked around quickly; somewhat amazed that no one had really noticed John being there. They were too wrapped up in their own conversations, she guessed. She looked back into John's beautiful brown eyes.
"I'm never going to know how you pulled this off, am I?" She asked.
John smiled, "Nope." He fought the urge to kiss her. Both wanting to make a scene and knowing that if he did, she'd never forgive him.
"You know what," he asked with a sight smirk.
"What?"
"I still haven't seen that picture you did from your photographic memory."
Sophie laughed. "How did I know you were going to bring that up?"
"Oh, you must be telepathic too. What am I thinking now?"
"Knowing you, it's not suitable for mixed company."
"That's amazing. You simply must tell me how it's done."
Sophie could tell that John was trying to hint his way into something, what she wasn't quite sure, but she had a feeling it involved them both leaving the room. She decided to take the bait, relishing a bit in her somewhat newfound daring side. She looked casually around the room.
"John, it seems we're out of drinks. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Actually," he paused almost saying no, but realizing that this was his initial plan all along. He was pleasantly surprised at her receptiveness to his slight hints. "Actually, that would be lovely," he said, following her back to the kitchen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I almost said her "receptiveness to his undertones", but that sounds a bit suggestive for some reason. lol.
Oh and I did some research [well, I checked Youtube] on old television commercials. But nothing jumped out at me so I was kind of vague about that. I might post them later, if you like though. They're pretty entertaining on their own. =)
As always, comments/criticisms are appreciated and don't forget to stay tuned!
Love,
Anna