Burn It Down

  Always said I was a good kid. Always said I had a way with words. Never knew I could be speechless. Don't know how I'll ever break this curse. ~Burn It Down - Daughter

Dear Charli,

Hallo my little liebling! I'm writing you from Germany!

God, Hamburg is amazing. You would love it! It sometimes feels like we're playing non-stop and I love it!

We've been playing alongside Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Their drummer is fab! He might drum with us for a few sessions. You'd get on with him, he's really funny.

I still miss you more than you know. I think about you constantly, I still love you.

All my Loving,

JPM

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Hamburg, October 1960

"Honestly Macca," John said sitting on his bunk, tuning his guitar "I don't understand why ya' still send letters to her, yer never goin' ta' get a response"

"Ya' don't know that Johnny," Paul sighed, strumming a few notes on his own guitar.

"She's probably moved on ta' some American cowboy anyway," John added, "And what about Dot?"

"What about her?" Paul asked angrily "I bought her a leather skirt, didn't I?"

"Cuz ya' want her ta' be a teddy girl, don't ya'?" John grinned knowing it would bother Paul.

"No!" Paul said angrily "What the fuck, John?"

"Relax, Paulie..." John laughed "Just gettin' a rise out of ya's....but ya' have ta' admit..I'm right"

Paul shook his head laughing. "I'll never admit that," Paul said "We should stop talkin' and start rehearsin'"

Minnesota, October 1960

Charli sat sketching before her algebra class began, she was perfectly happy ignoring the rest of the students coming in. She'd gotten into a heated argument with her parents just before she left for school about her change in attitude over the summer. After spending the rest of her summer in a sling again, and feeling more isolated than ever, she began lashing out more and was barely phased at her father's threats, whether he followed through with them or not. She had her release.

"Hey Charlotte," a boy's voice said cutting through her thoughts. She glanced up to see a tall, blonde boy, who was in her grade smiling at her. She knew who he was, it was hard not to, he was one of the most popular boys in the school, a star basketball player, and never lacked for attention. She said nothing and just stared, annoyed that she'd been interrupted. He grinned again and ran a hand through his hair, his hair was perfectly styled even after running a hand through it.

"Name's Luke," he said smiling again "We haven't formally met, but I'd love to take you out. There's the homecoming game on Friday night, we could go to the game and have a nice dinner"

"What makes you think I want to go to some bloody game?" Charli said finally, she leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed.

"I can be quite convincing" he smiled slyly.

"Doubt it," Charli said going back to her sketch and ignoring him again before he went to the back of the classroom.

"Nice one, you got her to say more than 3 words" a boy with dark brown hair laughed as Luke sat next to him.

"More than you could," Luke laughed along "She is cute, even if she's a kind of a bitch"

"Yeah, I'll give ya' that...she's kinda hot," the boy with brown hair said tipping back his chair against the wall "Doubt you'll even get to first with her, let alone third"

"If she doesn't talk, she can't say 'no' can she?" Luke grinned at his friend who laughed along.

"Right, what's your plan?" he asked.

"Easy, Jimmy," Luke said confidently "Her dad works for my dad. If she won't answer me the way I want, I'll just ask her father...he's a fucking pushover for manners and shit...and I'll just remind him who my father is."

Jimmy laughed again "Fucking stupid Brits, give them a bit of American charm and they'll agree to anything...I doubt she'll be as easy as her dad."

"Has that ever mattered before?" Luke asked Jimmy.

Charli stood up from the dinner table having finished her meal and the normal curt conversations with her parents.

"Charlotte, wouldn't you like to stay a bit longer? Tell us about school?" Mr. McLeod almost demanded rather than asking.

"Not really," Charli said pushing her chair in and grabbing her school bag "School is school. Now, I have homework to do. Goodnight"

Mrs. McLeod shook her head as Charli reached her room, closing the door hard.

"I just don't know about her, luv" she said.

"Aye," Mr. McLeod said somberly "She has gotten an attitude since the end of summer, if she doesn't shape up soon, I'll see to it she does."

Mrs. McLeod nodded.

There was a knock at the door. "I wonder who that could be," Mrs. McLeod pondered.

"It's alright Molly," Mr. McLeod said standing up "Don't worry yerself, I'll get the door"

As Mr. McLeod opened the door, there standing before him was a young blonde haired boy, who he instantly recognised as the son of his boss.

"Good evening, Mr. McLeod," Luke said flashing a bright smile "I hope I'm not interrupting anything and I'm terribly sorry if it's too late in the evening"

"Nonsense!" Mr. McLeod said amiably patting Luke's shoulder "Come inside, me wife just made a batch of scones, you're welcome to one. How's yer da'?"

"Thank you, sir," Luke said stepping inside "I'd love a scone, and dad's alright...he's very happy with your demeanor with your patients."

"That's great to hear!" Mr. McLeod said, secretly hoping a promotion was in his future. "What can I do for ya' tonight?"

"Well, sir," Luke said sweetly "I was wondering if Charlotte was home"

"Of course she is," He smiled "Molly, would ya' mind letting Charlotte know she has a visitor?"

Molly nodded as she set a tray of scones on the table before making her way down the hallway to Charlotte's room.

Charli sat in her room, the window slightly open, smoking a cigarette and working on her physics homework. In the background Elvis' A Mess of Blues played. Mrs. Johanson had lent her the record, she'd become closer with Mrs. Johanson since she had started sharing music with Charli. There was a knock on her door, she stubbed out her cigarette and waved the smoke out out the window.

"WHAT?!?" She demanded. "I'm doing me homework!"

"Charlotte," Mrs. McLeod said through the door, trying to speak over the music "You have a visitor"

Charli laughed loudly "Not bloody likely!" She said, "What the fuck does dad want now?"

Mr. McLeod, in the kitchen with Luke, grimaced as the full conversation was heard from down the hallway.

"Charlotte," Mrs. McLeod said a bit firmer "Turn down yer music, ya' know what we think of that Elvis...Now, come greet your visitor"

Back in the kitchen, Luke picked up on the conversation between Charli and her mother.

"Personally," he said to Mr. McLeod "I've never been very fond of Elvis"

Mr. McLeod smiled proudly.

"Fine..." Charli said as she turned off her record player. She opened her bedroom door.

"We will have a talk after company about your behaviour" her mother whispered angrily.

"Can't bloody wait!" Charli said sarcastically as she made her way down the hall.

Charli arrived in the kitchen and stopped seeing the back of Luke's head as he and her father spoke, Mr. McLeod beaming happily.

"Ah, here she is," Mr. McLeod said almost too amiably "Charlotte, Luke wanted ta' ask ya's a question"

Luke stood and faced Charli with a smile.

"Hello, Charlotte," he said. Charli scoffed.

"I know you were too focussed during algebra to talk," he began "And I thought it would be best if I asked your father for permission instead before I ask you..."

Charli raised an eyebrow.

"Would you go on a date with me to the homecoming football game?" he asked sweetly. Mrs. McLeod beamed happily behind Charli.

"No," She said, "Can I go back to my homework now?"

"Charlotte," Mr. McLeod said through clenched teeth "This is an important game and you know who Luke is, I've already accepted on your behalf"

Charli's mouth dropped as Luke grinned happily.

"For fuck sakes.." Charli muttered angrily

"I'll pick you up at 6 pm sharp" Luke said happily 

"Can't fucking wait..." Charli said as her mother tapped her shoulder hard.

"Okay, Mr. McLeod," Luke said as he took another scone "It's been a pleasure, and thanks for the scones Mrs. McLeod!"

"A pleasure, dearie" Molly said as Luke left. Mr. McLeod's kind demeanor changed as he was Luke was out of range.

"You are going with him to that game," He said firmly.

"Seriously?" Charli said angrily. "You fucking banned me from ever seeing Paul, now you're practically giving me away to some twat you just met??"

"He's a bright lad! And watch yer mouth," Mr. McLeod yelled angrily "He's a good Christian boy, unlike your heathen in Liverpool"

Charli scoffed before turning on her heel. Mr. McLeod grabbed her wrist hard.

"You will not ruin this for me," he said squeezing tighter "Do you understand me?"

"Yes, master..." Charli said sarcastically "Now, can I go back to my homework?"

Mr. McLeod let her go realising he wasn't going to win.

"Fine, make sure you study.." he said.

"Yeah...I know...SATs or some shite," Charli said walking away.

The lunch bell had rung, students rushed through the halls to see each other, gossip and actually eat. Charli grabbed her lunch from her locker and made for the lunch room, with every intention to sit on her own.

"Charlotte!!" a female voice sang out for her. Charli glanced at the sound to see a blonde haired girl waving at her.

Charli cautiously made her way to the table.

"Hi Charlotte," the girl said. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and tied off with a perfect pink ribboned bow, she smiled brightly. "Come sit with us"

"Ehm...no thanks," Charli said. The table was full of the most popular girls in school.

"Oh come on," she giggled "Just sit with us"

Charli cautiously set her lunch at the table and sat down. All the girls at the table had perfect hair, either worn up or with a perfect flip at the ends. Each wore knee-length skirts and a cardigan or collared shirt.

"We were in chemistry last year," she giggled.

"Yeah, I know....you told me to go back to England" Charli shot.

"Oh, silly...I was only joking" she said as the other girls laughed. "I'm Cindy, meet Judy, Rachel, Polly, and Tina," she said motioning to her group of friends as each girl in turn smiled and said a quick 'hello' to Charli.

"Right...." Charli said still feeling uncomfortable "So...why do you want me to sit with you?"

"Well," Cindy said, "Becky, told me, and she found out from Jimmy that you're going to the homecoming game with Luke Nelson!"

The table of girls made various giggle and squealing noises.

"And...?" Charli said confused at the reactions.

"And?" Cindy giggled "And he's only the most popular boy in the school!"

"You're so lucky!" a girl with chestnut brown hair known as Polly said excitedly.

"Right..." Charli said digging a sandwich out of her lunch bag.

"Oh no!" Tina said grabbing her lunch from her "Can't eat too much, you have to look perfect!"

"Fuck off!" Charli said snatching her lunch back "Give me my lunch!"

Tina gasped as the others consoled her.

"She's right," Cindy said "He's very particular about the girls he chooses"

"I don't care..." Charli said rolling her eyes "If he doesn't like me like this, he can fuck off. Hell, I don't even care if he likes me"

Cindy pretended not to hear Charli.

"You have such pretty hair," she said fluffing Charli's hair a bit "You should let us give you a makeover"

"I don't think so..." Charli said.

"Oh come on, it's senior year, its the biggest game of our lives!" Rachel giggled "We can make you look like a real American girl"

"I'll think about it..." Charli said to oblige them before standing from the table and heading to her next class.

***

It was 2 days later, Charli sat in art class working on a painting and talking to Mrs. Johanson. It was the day of the homecoming game, the school was littered with pennants and streamers, there had been a rally, which bored Charli and she was happy to be back in her art class discussing music.

"I grew up with Frank Sinatra," Mrs. Johanson swooned "I remember being your age, and imagining I would marry him someday"

Charli laughed "But ya' listen to Elvis and Little Richard now?" she asked.

"Oh there's lots of great music today" She said "I'm particularly fond of Sam Cooke"

"Hola, Mrs. J!" Eddie said as he entered the class.

"Eddie, nice to see you today...all decked out for the game?" she said noting the streamer wrapped around his neck in a fashionable way.

"Sure..." Eddie said. Charli had gone quiet again.

"So what did you think of your first American pep rally?" Eddie asked Charli sarcastically. He had been trying to talk with her more as she'd opened up to Mrs. Johanson recently. Especially considering her reputation for rarely speaking to anyone unless she was telling them off.  Teachers agreed, she was a good student but had a knack for mouthing off if the urge struck her.

Charli said nothing and shot him a look.

"Yeah, they're pretty lame" he laughed.

"Is it always that bloody ridiculous?" she blurted out suddenly. Eddie and Mrs. Johanson laughed.

"We were actually just talking about one of your favourites, Mr. Sam Cooke," Mrs. Johanson said.

"I love a bit of Sam," Eddie said rocking back on his heels "I'm really into this college guy I saw in Dinkytown a few months ago...goes by Bobby Zimmerman I think. Pretty sure he headed for New York, lucky bastard. You should come sometime Charli, lots of good musicians and artists in the cities"

Charli said nothing but went back to her painting. Eddie shrugged and made his way to his group of friends.

"Chaaaaarliiiii!" a high pitch, sing-songy voice called from the doorway. Charli groaned, she turned to see Cindy and a few of her friends waiting.

Mrs. Johanson looked at the girls "Cindy, shouldn't you be in class?" she asked.

"Study period, Mrs. Johanson" Cindy grinned. "I promised Charli we'd get her ready for the big game!"

Charli rolled her eyes "Let me finish what I'm working on, bloody hell!" she said angrily.

At the back of the room, Julie sat on one of the large art tables as Jessie kicked his heels up on the desk, leaning his chair back and Eddie sat reading a book. Julie shook her head.

"What, so she's with the fakers now?" she scoffed.

"Figures...get a date with Luke-y boy and they swarm like wasps," Jessie said staring at the ceiling.

"Wait? What?" Eddie said looking up from his book.

"Yeah, man...he was bragging about it in History today," Jessie said as he lost his balance and fell backward in his chair and Julie laughed.

"Sorry, Eddie...guess she's not going to Dinkytown with us this weekend," Julie said half-heartedly.

"Would you girls like more tea?" Mrs. McLeod said happily outside Charli's bedroom door.

"No thank you, Mrs. McLeod," Cindy called as she continued curling Charli's hair.

"Fuck sakes...could you pull any harder?" Charli said angrily. She didn't want all this fuss, but the girls insisted. She wanted to stay home, she wanted to work on more art, finish her homework and lose herself in her thoughts. She wanted to cut again and was going mad she couldn't get away.

"Charli you're so funny!" Rachel said as she looked through a women's magazine on of the girls brought.

"Do you like Minnesota better than Liverpool?" Polly asked.

Charli laughed. "Don't ask me that! I'm going back after graduation if that gives you an idea"

"Why? We have everything here" Tina said as she put on a Patsy Cline record she'd brought along.

"I had everything I wanted in Liverpool," Charli said under her breath.

"Hey Charli," Judy said pulling a photo from Charli's bedside table, it was the photo of Paul playing guitar. "Who's this? He's cute!"

Charli nearly knocked Cindy over as she scrambled to Judy.

"LEAVE THAT ALONE!" She said angrily taking the photograph out of her hand "THAT'S PRIVATE!"

There were tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry..." Judy said "Didn't think you'd mind"

"Well, I do," Charli said wiping the tears away and putting the photo back in the bedside table drawer.

"I think I see what's going on," Cindy said sweetly "Our poor Charli had her heart broken by a boy in Liverpool"

Polly hugged Charli close. Charli thought it was weird given most of these girls a month ago would have made fun of her.

"It'll be okay Charli," Rachel said "Soon you'll forget all about that asshole in England"

"He wasn't an arsehole!" Charli said "None of you would understand anyway"

The girls finished getting Charli ready, much to her protests.

"You look perfect!" Cindy said happily.

"I look like you..." Charli said looking disapprovingly in the mirror at her hair tied back with a pink ribbon. The tartan skirt was okay to her, but she felt like something her parents wanted her to be and not who she was.

"Charlotte lovey," her mother called "Luke is here!"

The group of girls squealed and squawked like a flock of birds...Charli could already tell it would be a long night.

"Oh dearie," Mrs. McLeod sighed "You look perfect"

"No...I look like what you want," she said angrily. Mrs. McLeod ignored her.

"Oh hush now," She said grabbing a camera "I want ta' get a photo of our daughter's first date"

"I've had plenty more dates mum," Charli said with a snide smile "Just not ones you arranged"

Mrs. McLeod pushed her closer to Luke.

"We're going to have a great time tonight," Luke said with a smile as he put an arm around her waist. Charli didn't smile.

"You really do look great tonight," Luke said to Charli as she pulled her coat shut.

"I don't look like myself" she shrugged apathetically. Luke didn't know how to respond.

"You're going to have a great time, the homecoming game is the biggest game of the year," he explained "we crown a couple of our fellow students' king and queen; this year it's Johnny Anderson and Tanya Peterson"

"And what does that mean?" Charli asked staring at the field, already bored.

"Well, it's a huge honour..." Luke started.

"So, 2 popular students get another accolade that in the grand scheme amounts to bollocks?" Charli said facing him finally. Luke looked like a deer in front of headlights which amused Charli.

"Anyway, I thought, after the game, we could grab dinner at Big Daddy's and see where the night takes us," he said. He had the evening planned and didn't intend on taking no for an answer at the end of it.

"Yeah...whatever.." Charli said turning her attention back to the field as a group of cheerleaders took the field.

"God, this is ridiculous.." she sighed.

"You know, you could easily be a cheerleader. You're pretty enough" Luke said.

"There's a big difference between me and them," Charli said "I don't care"

Soon the bleachers were filled with students, parents, and alumni. Charli sat drinking a hot chocolate her date had brought her, her mind wondered; She thought about Jenny and her joking around about something this inane. She thought about John and George imitating and poking fun at everything and she thought about Paul, trying to understand it all, but eventually getting bored and sneaking her away.

"You alright?" Luke asked noticing she seemed even quieter.

"I'm fine..." she said taking another sip of her hot chocolate. "Just don't understand all of this"

"Ah, it's easy" He smiled "See, the goal of each team is to get a touchdown, they do a coin flip to begin the game to determine which team does the kick off...as you saw, we won that, now.."

"No," Charli said setting her drink down and grabbing a cigarette from her coat pocket and lighting it. "What I don't understand is WHY anyone finds this bloody entertaining?"

Julie, Eddie, and Jessie stood laughing and smoking under the bleachers.

"What are we doing here again?" Jessie asked.

"It's the homecoming game, Jessie!" Julie laughed "Where's your school spirit?"

"Up your ass" Jessie laughed.

"Shh..." Eddie said watching the stands from below, he'd found where Charli and Luke were sitting.

"Ah, Eddie is playing Superman to the English girl," Julie said.

"What's the big deal, man?" Jessie asked "She's little miss popular now"

"She's on a date with 'Never takes No Nelson'" Eddie said. Jessie Shrugged, Julie lit a joint.

"C'mon guys, it's pretty obvious she gets the snot beat out of her at home," Eddie said "Last thing she needs is grabby hands having his way"

"Right, Romeo.." Julie said, "What's your plan?"

Eddie just smiled.

Charli sat, still thinking back on life in Liverpool, she shivered slightly as a crisp autumn wind blew through the crowds.

Luke taking notice said, "Why don't I get us some more hot chocolate?"

Charli shrugged "If you like"

Luke left for the concession stand as Charli took another drag from her cigarette.

"Miss McLeod," a teacher patrolling the stands said "You know smoking is prohibited on school grounds, put it out now or detention on Monday"

Charli stared at him a moment before stubbing it out and cursing under her breath at him as he walked away.

"Fuck.." she said annoyed "That was me last ciggie"

"Hey Charli," Eddie said sitting next to her, startling her.

"Hey..." She said trying to place his name.

"Eddie," he said "We're in art together"

"Yeah, I know....what do you want?" she asked.

"To get you away from a terrible date," he grinned.

"And then what? You get a fucking chance?" Charli said angrily "Fuck sakes...my da' starts pimping me out and suddenly everyone wants a bit"

Eddie laughed loud and hard.

"Oh honey," he said, "Trust me, I'm not interested in you like that at all!"

She raised an eyebrow.

"If I were going to steal anyone away, I'd be trying to snatch your date from you...if you catch my drift" Eddie said "But, I have standards higher than him...look, he's planning to take you in the backwoods after the game...and he won't take no for an answer."

"Why do you care?" she asked.

"Because, I'm tired of seeing the girls in this school raped by him," Eddie whispered. "And I think you're cool...just trust me...I have smokes"

Charli looked to see Luke making his way up the stands, she didn't know what to believe, but she didn't want to find out if Eddie was right the hard way.

"Alright...let's go," She said finally. Eddie grabbed her hand and started pushing through the stands as Luke saw them.

"Hey!" Luke called out "What do you think you're doing faggot?!?"

"Sorry! Just using the little girls' room" Eddie called as the ducked through the crowds hiding amongst the marching band who was coming off the field before finding Eddie's friends waiting under the bleachers.

Once they arrived, winded and tired, Charli laughed. For the first time in what felt like years, she laughed.

"That was fucking hilarious!" she said taking her hair out of the bow Cindy had given her finally.

"Glad I'm entertaining," Eddie laughed as they found Julie and Jessie "I'll probably get my ass beat on Monday for that stunt"

"I'll probably get mine beat when I get home" Charli shrugged.

"Right, I guess introductions are in order," Eddie said "This is Julie, used to be popular but left because,"

"I got bored," Julie said interrupting him. Julie was tall, with pitch black hair. She was thin and pale.

"And this is Jessie, man about town, and a bit of a loser" Eddie teased.

"Hiya Charli," Jessie said doing a mock bow.  Jessie had unkempt hair, his face had a slight acne problem but he had an infectious smile and was always a bit of a clown.

"And your dashing rescue this evening; Eduardo Diego Rodriguez," Eddie said tipping his hat.

"Is that your real name?" Charli asked. "It seems like something out of a book"

Eddie laughed. "My dad is from Mexico, my mom is well...from here. My middle name is from the famous Mexican painter.."

"Diego Rivera.." Charli finished.

"Yes! You know him?" Eddie said excitedly.

"Oh no, now you've done it...he'll go on all night about Diego" Jessie laughed.

"Do you know Frida Kahlo's works too??" Eddie asked excitedly.

She nodded.

Charli remembered Paul had snuck a book from school once, specifically to show Charli Frida's works, she'd always been fascinated and wanted to capture the same feeling of Kahlo's works someday, but never felt she was good enough.

"Well, Charli," Julie said hopping off the rubbish bin she'd been sitting on. "Welcome, to the misfit toys"

She smiled and passed what looked like an oddly rolled cigarette.

"What's this?" Charli asked. Jessie laughed.

"Shut up!" Julie said angrily. "It's like a cigarette, but better...but you have to take a hell of a long drag on it"

Charli raised an eyebrow taking it from her. She inhaled the joint deeply and passed it back to Julie who gave it to Eddie.

After a few passes, Charli was feeling relaxed and happy for the first time in months.

She laughed at Jessie's antics, she realised Julie wasn't as mean as she seemed, in fact, they were extremely similar and she got to know Eddie best.

"So you're a poof?" she asked then threw her hands over her mouth realising what she'd said. They all laughed, including Charli.

"I think that's the cutest name anyone's ever called me, is that what they call it in Liverpool?" he asked. Charli nodded still keeping her hands over her mouth.

"Well, yeah...I'm gay," he said, "It's not a problem is it?"

Charli shook her head "I don't care," she said taking another drag from the joint as it was passed to her "You might terrify my parents"

She grinned wide.

"Ok," Julie said "You have to come with us to Minneapolis tomorrow night!"

"Shite...I'm probably going to be in enough trouble for tonight," Charli said.

"I could turn up as your date!" Eddie laughed.

"God, I think they'd piss themselves" Charli laughed along.

"Come on Charli," Julie said "We'll pick you up, there's some really great music and little coffee houses, way cooler than anything in Lebanon"

"Alright..." she said finally "I'll figure it out...I usually do anyway"

It was late, Eddie had driven Charli home.

"Cool, so we'll pick you up around 7 tomorrow?" Eddie said as she got out of the car.

"Sure, sounds like a plan" she grinned. Her head was still fuzzy and she'd actually had fun for the first time since her parents moved her away.

She walked into the house as quietly as possible, which didn't work as the lights came on immediately to show her father and mother waiting impatiently in the front room.

"Where on earth have you been??" Mr. McLeod demanded.

"Hey, you were the ones that set me up on this date and made me go out..." she said boldly "It's not my fault"

"Your date came by 2 hours ago to tell us you abandoned him," Mr. McLeod said standing up from his chair. "What do you have to say about that?"

Charli was taken back for a moment but soon regained the courage to confront him.

"What do I have to say?" She laughed sardonically. "Your fucking job is so much more important than your daughter that you set me up with a rapist? How does that feel?"

With those words, her father sprung into action, grabbing her by her shoulders and shaking her hard.

"You gave it up so easy for that McCartney lad, but you abandon a proper date with a proper lad?" He screamed, "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"McLeod's brothel," Charli said "Should I start taking me own clients, or only the ones you pick?"

She watched her father fume.

"What are you going to do, da'?" she said feeling only a slight pain where his fingers dug into her upper arms "Hit me? Go right a-fucking-head! After years of it, I'm used to the pain"

She had barely finished the sentence when she felt a strike against her face. She laughed again.

"Go to your room!" he screamed, "Read your passages...and think about your attitude!"

He stammered, confused at her laughter as he let go of her.

"Yes Sir!" she said sarcastically as she walked down the hall to the bathroom, she rubbed her cheek where a bruise was forming but felt little pain "Oh, and I'm going out tomorrow night....with my friends"

She closed and locked the door, leaving her confused father fuming in the hallway and her baffled mother praying in the front room. 

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https://youtu.be/-XIRj_Iq3cw

A/N:  sorry...I was a little late with this chapter...but my weekend was pretty full on because....I SAW PAUL MCCARTNEY IN CONCERT!!!! AAAAHHH!!!  It was AMAZING!

Okay, anyway, I said I was going to do short chapters and wrote this beast!  A big focus on Charli in this, I actually had fun with this one.  Eddie is a fun character I think :)

Also, I start each chapter with one of Paul's letters as they will come up again.The chapter song, is pretty much an accurate representation of Charli at this stage in the timeline.

Couple things;  Charli's dad..is a dentist, it was sort of a last minute decision on my part.  Also, yes...Dinkytown is a place; and I would think most people reading this would know who Bobby Zimmerman becomes. ;)

As always, I know its a pain to hear it...but your likes, reads and comments mean the world :D  I'll keep writing regardless, but the props are always appreciated.  Stick with me on this one, they will end up seeing each other again.