I'm With the Beatles

Within You, Without You

I sniffled as I rushed to John and Cynthia's room. Before I knocked, I heard a loud groan and giggling. Ugh, as if I needed to hear that. So, I decided to go downstairs to the lobby and get me a cup of coffee. Hopefully, George wouldn't be there. Oh God, don't let George be there.

I sighed my gratitude when I noticed Ringo practicing beats with his drumsticks on the lobby desk. The greeter didn't seem to mind, in fact, she loved the performance.

As I passed by, I coughed the rest of my aggravation out against the air that blew through the entrance as people walked in.Ringo turned around.

"Aye, Lizzie!"

"Oh, hey, Ringo," I acknowledged, faltering a bit.

He cut his show short and ran up to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Is everything alright?"

"I'm just getting me a cup of coffee to calm my nerves," I explained.

"What 'appened?"

I carefully tilted the coffee pot and the steamy liquid awakened my senses. I dabbled in a bit of sugar and sipped the sweet concoction. Ringo just stared in puzzlement.

"Let's just say I don't like drunk people," I mumbled, letting the comfy chair cradle me.

"Who's drunk? Paulie?"

"Yep," I confirmed, popping the 'p'.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We all get drunk from time to time. We all smoke from time to time. Sometimes, we wish we didn't do it. 'ell, we regret it all. But we're still the same people on the inside," Ringo lectured.

"Yeah, but insecurities come out on the front and it makes those people look so foolish! Paul wasn't acting like himself! Not at all!"

The coffee burned now as it slithered down my throat. I crumpled the now empty cup and threw it at the garbage can and it fell in the bag. Success!

"I know, and I'm sorry ye 'ad to deal with a weird Paul..." Ringo consoled. He patted my hand as he got up.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Well, I was planning on going to bed..."

"Can I stay in your room tonight?"

Ringo halted and turned around to give me a "What the hell?" expression. I couldn't help but laugh at how funny he looked.

"Why?"

"Ringo, I thought you liked me," I giggled. I couldn't help myself.

"I 'ave a wife, ye know," he raged.

"Not like that! I can sleep on your couch! I just need somewhere else to stay for the night. I don't want to be with crazy Paul...."

"What about being with Cynthia? Ye both are girls!"

"Not when she and John are doing things married people do, if you catch my drift."

"Oh.." he reacted, then grimaced.

"Well, 'ow about George?"

"What about me?"

I mentally cried when George strolled around the corridor and joined us. He freshened up and looked so good. Damn his suaveness!

"Oh, there ye are George! Lizzie was just asking me if she could sleep in my room tonight," Ringo happily stated.

George's eyebrows furrowed. He shot a confused glance at his buddy, then at me.

"Why can't she stay with Paul?"

Oh, yeah, George. Act like I'm invisible...

"Paulie's drunk," Ringo whispered, even though I could still hear him.