Perfect Illusion

"It wasn't love, it wasn't love. It was a perfect illusion" ~Perfect Illusion - Lady Gaga

Dearest Charli,

I wish I knew where you were, I can only assume you're still in Minnesota until I hear otherwise.

We're touring the US again this year, just before your birthday! It took some convincing, but I sweet talked our manager into a couple tickets and a backstage pass for you, which I've enclosed as well as a surprise.

I miss you more each day. If I see you after the concert, I can promise you a good life in London, together. If I don't see you, I suppose it means you've moved on and I'll need to do the same.

I hope to see you, I love you.

JPM

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London, Abbey Road Studios, mid-July 1965

Paul finished writing his letter to Charli. He placed 2 tickets to their concert in Minnesota and a backstage pass. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gold ring and placed it in the envelope as well.

"Mate, yer wasting your time," John said as he exhaled a cigarette startling Paul.

"Fuck sakes, Johnny...didn't know ya' were still here," Paul said closing the envelope.

"Just forgot me keys la," John grinned "Seriously, you heard from her 4 years ago? She's moved on"

"You don't know that" Paul sighed. It was late, he was tired and not in the mood to hear it from John.

"Just don't say I didn't warn ya's when she's not there," John said as he left the studio.

New York, early August 1965

Charli gritted her teeth in pain.

"Just about done there, Charli" a voice came over the buzzing of a small machine as dozens of small needles jabbed at her thigh.

"Hurry it up mate," she said gripping onto a small blue elephant tightly "Much as I love these sessions, I can only take so much!"

"And....finished," a large man, covered in tattoos and long hair said as he finished his work and began wiping away excess ink.

"Great!" Charli said excitedly "Thought I was going to have to punch ya's if ya' didn't finish soon"

He laughed "My favourite client," he said as he wiped the new tattoo clean and Charli winced as the soap stung at her skin. "always threatening to beat me up, but I'm the one with the needles"

"Alright, have a look in the mirror," he said. Charli hopped off the table and slowly made her way to the standing mirror in the small tattoo shop.

She stared at herself in the mirror. It had been over a year since she'd used heroin, over a year since she became an aerial artist. She looked healthy again, the curves she'd had most of her teenage and adult life returned, she had gained muscle, most of all she felt healthy. All of those thoughts flew through her mind as she looked at herself.

"Well? What do ya' think?" The tattoo artist asked shaking Charli out of her daze. She looked down at her right thigh. There, taking up most of her thigh was a new tattoo of a blue elephant reared up and an ornate, gold, Victorian frame surrounding it. She held up the small, blue, stuffed elephant she had brought along as a reference for her artist.

"It's perfect!" she grinned "You've outdone yerself Tommy"

"Excellent!" Tommy said happily "Now, let's get you wrapped up and home to take care of that new ink"

"Charli!" a tall, slim dark skinned man called from the kitchen as she entered the apartment "How did it go?"

She set her bag down and turned on a fan.

"Fine Lily," she said "Sore, but once it's not oozing puss and scabby it'll be stunning."

"You just make yourself more attractive to me every day" the man she called Lily grinned as he handed her an apple "Figure you could use a snack"

"Thanks, mate," She grinned. William, or "Lily" as Charli called him after a night she drunkenly slurred Lily instead of William, was tall and slim with dark brown skin, was a local drag queen with personality enough for at least 5 people and who could go from the sweetest cooing voice to a booming deep voice and loved to use it to his advantage. Like Eddie, Lily was also gay and was not afraid to show it. Charli adored Lily from the moment they met.

"Guess that means no practice for you for the next couple weeks," Lily said taking a bite of his own apple.

Charli shook her head "Nah, not with a big piece...plus I'm not performing until September. Once this is done healing, it's time to go to Minnesota for my parents yearly celebration of me birth/berating me for everything I am"

"You're a much better daughter than I am" Lily grinned "What are they gonna' think of the new ink?"

Charli shrugged "They hate everything else I do, why try to impress them now?"

Charli and Eddie moved from their small apartment in Brooklyn to their current flat in Greenwich Village. It was a larger space, they lived with Lily, Sophie, who was a contortionist and shared a room with Charli, also in the flat lived Mina, a burlesque performer, and Toni, a musician who were partners.

The flat had large windows overlooking the village, hardwood floors, a small kitchen, and just enough space for the artists living there.

The walls facing the outside were brick, while the wall opposite had a large psychedelic painting Charli had done when she and Sophie tripped on LSD one night. She may have quit using heroin, but still smoked marijuana and dropped acid on occasion as well as many occasions of drinking.

There was a small tv and couch in one corner of the main living area, called "the nook". There was a guitar and piano at one end, various easels near the window, and a large hoop called a Lyra hung from a ceiling beam, it was cluttered, it was often noisy, but it was home.

"You're back!" an excited voice came as a dark haired girl entered the living area "Lemme see! Lemme see!" she bounced up and down excitedly. Charli laughed.

"Fine Sophie," she said turning to her, lifting the pair of shorts she was wearing slightly. "Not like ya's can see much of it under the wrap"

"Ech! I forget, its all gross right after" Sophie said pulling a disgusted face at the clear plastic wrap already covered in excess ink, and small bits of blood as Charli and Lily laughed.

London, 12 August 1965

"Fuck sakes," John said laying his head on the back of the couch "It feels like we just got home from touring Europe...now it's back to the states in a couple weeks."

"Fek, fek" a small toddler imitated as Paul picked him up off the floor.

"No no, Julian, daddy said 'duck'" Paul lied to Julian.

"Duckie!" Julian said happily as Paul set him down again to toddle off somewhere else.

"Relax Johnny," Paul said lighting a cigarette "You know it will be worth it, we'll see the US again, play our music, and have a gas!"

"Yer just excited cuz you think yer gonna' see Charli," John said not even looking at him.

"Mind not talking about that?" Paul asked "Every time we get inta' this, yer tellin' me I'm daft"

"Cuz you are!" John said snapping his head up "Mate, she's not gonna' turn up"

"You don't know that Johnny" Paul sighed getting agitated.

"Yeah? And if she does? What then?" John asked. Paul was about to say something but John continued "Yer gonna' drop everything for her? Bring her back ta' London? What about Jane?"

Paul thought a moment.

"I hadn't planned it all out, it's not like I see Jane that much anyway, she's always filming or we're always recording," Paul said. "I'd figure something out"

"But ya' think it's all gonna' change if ya' see this girl ya' haven't seen in 5 years? Think she's gonna' want yer lifestyle? Think she'll just stay at home and wait for ya's?" John said challenging Paul.

"Enough!" Paul said angrily as he stood up "You've been a right bastard since you heard we were touring again! I'll see ya' tomorrow Johnny"

Paul slammed the door shut as he left the house.

Minnesota, 21 August 1965

"Welcome home, Charlotte," Mr. McLeod greeted Charli cooly as she entered the house.

"Yeah..thanks, Da'," she said "Just goin' ta' leave my things in me room and have a kip, long day of flights"

It had been a long day for Charli, she'd been in and out of airports since 8 am that morning, she'd had a connecting flight in Atlanta which had been delayed by an hour and a half. By the time she arrived in Minneapolis, the airport had been a mob of people as 2 hours later The Beatles would land in Minneapolis unbeknownst to Charli. She caught a taxi to her parents' small house and wanted nothing more than to sleep until she had to be on a flight back to New York.

"Dinner is at 6. Don't keep yer mother waiting" he said gruffly before Charli closed her old bedroom door.

Charli napped for an hour before sitting at the more awkward than usual dinner table with her parents. A small radio played softly in the background.

"Ya' know Luke is married now," her father said as he cut her a slice of chicken "Expecting a child next year"

"Yeah, great da'" Charli said. "I wish I could say I care"

"And Ruthie is graduating U of M with honours" he added. This was their normal dinner conversation, comparing her to everyone else she went to school with.

"Oh and that lovely Cindy you used to be friends with is expecting her second child" her mother added "Guess we won't be expecting grandchildren from you anytime soon"

"Probably not, possibly never," Charli said getting annoyed at dinner already.

"Charlotte," her father said, "When do you plan to give up yer nonsense?"

"Whenever I'm bored of it," she said "I happen to like what I do...in case you were wondering, I've been selling my art on a monthly basis, I'm illustrating for a small magazine, I'm performing in a few regular shows and I have a lovely job in the same art shop I've been working in since I moved to New York"

Her parents said nothing. The radio began broadcasting a press conference happening at The Metropolitan Stadium, they heard the familiar voices of John, Paul, George and Ringo joking with reporters. Charli instantly looked to the radio upon hearing Paul's voice amiably answer questions. Her father smirked.

"Yer heathen boyfriend is in town with that bloody band," he said "Even he's made something of himself"  She could tell he'd been drinking and his attitude towards her former romance with Paul proved he was bordering on drunk.

"I don't know Joseph," Mrs. McLeod piped in "I find their music deplorable, just shows he really hasn't changed."

Charli gritted her teeth, she had learned to cope with Beatlemania and seeing Paul's face everywhere, but realising he was in the same state her heart sank, she knew there was no possible way she could get a ticket and even so, she was sure he'd long forgotten about her. Just then out of the corner of her eye, she saw a large envelope beneath a pile of mail. She could see the first part of the address "Charlot-" was all she could read and a London address in the corner.

"What's that da'?" She said quickly changing the conversation and reaching for the envelope. Mr. McLeod slapped her hand hard.

"That's none of your business," he said angrily grabbing the papers and leaving the room. She watched as he stormed off into the master bedroom.

Later that evening, Charli made her way to her room noticing her parents' bedroom door had been left slightly ajar. She quietly made her way to the door suspecting they were hiding something from her due to her father's behaviour at dinner. She silently pushed the door hoping the old wood wouldn't creek before she felt a hand grabbing her wrist hard.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YER DOIN'?" Mr. McLeod demanded. Charli stared at him, refusing to back down.

"I know yer hiding somethin' and I'll find out," Charli challenged.

"That is our personal space," Mr. McLeod said, "You are not allowed in that room!"

"Funny, ya' never gave me my personal space" She smirked as he gripped tighter at her wrist about to say something before she interrupted.

"I'm not a fuckin' child anymore da'," she said "I'm not afraid of you"

Mr. McLeod dropped her wrist and locked the bedroom door. Charli went to her room and began sketching and smirked knowing she won this time.

***

Minneapolis, Metropolitan Stadium, later that night

The concert was over and had been for some time, Paul sat backstage still waiting and losing hope, he fidgeted with a small gold ring in his fingers, staring at the ground. The reporters had cleared out, the stadium was nearly empty aside from the police chasing a few girls out.

John looked seeing his best friend in a desperate state, much as he wanted to say "I told ya' so", he couldn't bring himself to it as he quietly sat next to Paul.

"Hey Paulie," he said. Paul nodded to acknowledge he knew he was there.

"Look, mate, we're all tired" John began, "I think it's time ya' admit, she's not here"

"Bet yer just lovin' this" Paul said angrily, not looking up.

"Lovin' seeing me best mate in such a state? C'mon la, I'm not cruel" he said.

"John, it was supposed to be different," he said finally looking at John with tears in his eyes "I was going ta' ask her ta' marry me"

"I know Paul," John said "It just wasn't meant to be. I think it's time you let it be and carry on with yer own life, waiting around fer someone like this can't be healthy"

"She's worth it," Paul said quietly.

"Sure she is," John said "But this is going to tear you up, come on mate, let's go back to the hotel, we'll have a bash with some of the locals like we always do, then when we're over with this tour, we can go back home and forget about this place"

Paul smiled weakly at John before leaving the stadium and not looking back.

**

"I can't believe I'm in a Beatle's room!" a young blonde said excitedly.

"Shh.." Paul hissed angrily "The police have been right arseholes about some curfew all night"

"Thanks for inviting me back," she said hugging him.

"Of course luv," he said with a smirk "But, you do realise, this is only for tonight...after this ya' won't hear from me"

"I'm sure I can change your mind" she giggled.

"Trust me," he said, "You won't, there's only one person in this state who could."

"Aw Paul," she cooed "Anyone who wouldn't want to be with you would be crazy!"

He stopped flirting "You don't know anything about her!" he said angrily.

"I'm sorry," the blonde apologised "Look, I'm fine if this is a one night stand, I just want to say I've been with you."

"They all do" he sighed. There was a light knock at the door.

"Fuck me," he said "Yeah?" he called to the door.

"Paul? It's Brian," Brian said.

"Shite... Hold on a mo luv" Paul whispered.

"What's up Bri?" he asked.

"Paul, I've got a police constable here," Brian said nervously, "He says if you have a girl in the room, she needs to leave. They have a curfew in effect.."

Brian rambled more about what the police officer had said, but Paul was tuning him out as his mind raced.

Paul sighed running a hand through his hair.

"Sorry, luv" he said to the girl "Looks like you'll have to leave, this was a mistake"

"Paul, they'll arrest you if you don't send her out immediately," Brian said quietly.

"Oh come on!" the girl said "You're not going to listen to some stupid policeman, are you? You're a star!"

"A star who doesn't want to be bloody arrested in this shitehole state," Paul said opening the door. The girl left, showing her ID to prove she was legal.

"Mr. McCartney," the police officer said "We have rules here in Minneapolis"

"Look, she's all yours alright?" he said "Fucking narrow-minded city...I'm never comin' back here again"

Brian looked at Paul pleadingly then back to the officer as Paul closed his hotel room door.

"I'm terribly sorry officer," Brian said cordially "He's had a rough night, just wasn't thinking straight"

"Just make sure it doesn't happen again," the officer said.

New York, October 1965

Charli sat behind the counter of the small art shop she worked at, she absentmindedly worked on a sketch she'd started that morning. There were two very chatty college girls looking for supplies, Charli rolled her eyes and turned up the small radio she kept at the counter as The Zombies She's Not There played. Charli sang softly as she continued sketching, she hadn't realised who she'd sketched absentmindedly until she heard a squeal as the two girls in the shop approached the counter and Charli jumped.

"Oh my god, Laura!" one said, "It looks just like him!"

"That's so cool!" the one known as Laura said excitedly.

"Jesus," Charli said still shaking the start she'd received"Can I help ya's with anything?"

She said annoyed.

"Oh my god, you even sound like them!" Laura said. Charli rolled her eyes. Since Beatlemania hit the US her accent was constantly commented on.

"Sorry," the other girl said "We're just huge fans! This is Laura and I'm Mary"

They set a batch of painting supplies on the counter for Charli to ring up.

"Are you an art student?" Mary asked, "Your portrait of Paul McCartney is amazing!"

Charli stashed the sketch under the counter as she rang up their supplies.

"No, I'm not an art student...I'm an artist," she said absentmindedly.

"Can we see the portrait again?" Laura asked. Charli sighed and set her sketchbook back on the counter.

"Gosh, he's handsome" they cooed. Laura looked up "I'm going to marry him someday"

Charli scoffed thinking she was joking, then saw her face.

"Oh God, yer serious?" She said. Laura nodded.

"I just know it, in my heart," she said with her eyes brimming with tears.

"Isn't he dating some actress?" Charli asked returning to her job. "What makes you think you have a chance?"

"I don't know, I just know and maybe...since you're from Liverpool..." Laura said timidly "Maybe you know him? You could give him a letter from me?"

Charli stared at her for a moment. "I don't," she said plainly. "Even so, what if I wanted ta' marry him?" she smirked.

"You?" Mary said glancing at the large magpie on her upper arm, there were colourful psychedelic patterns behind the magpie extending over her shoulder. She had old scars on her forearm. She didn't look like the type of girl their precious Paulie would associate with.

"No offense," Mary said "You don't look like his type"

"I'm nobody's type," Charli said bagging their supplies "Now, go away I want ta' close up"

"Can we have your sketch?" Laura asked "We'll pay you"

"Fuck, just keep it," Charli said ripping the page from the sketchbook and passing it to them. "It's rubbish anyway"

Later that evening Charli sat in the nook with Sophie and Mina as they helped Mina attach rhinestones to a costume, Eddie cooked dinner while reading the latest fashion trends.

"Bloody hell, Mina," Charli said blinking her eyes shut tight to make things come into focus again, "How on earth do you have the patience for this?"

"I don't," Mina laughed "That's why I ask my friends for help!"

A previously aired recording of a performance of The Beatles Yesterday performed at Blackpool Night Out (and aired around the world) began.

"God, they've been playing this song a lot since August," Eddie said "I mean, I like it, I like them..but they play their stuff so much"

Charli looked up watching the small set; it was just Paul after George gave him a short intro. Paul stood alone with an acoustic guitar as a single spotlight shone on him, the camera switched showing a close up of his face. He wasn't the same smiling lad from the previous year, you could see the sadness in his eyes as he sang a few lines.

"He is cute," Sophie shrugged. The song ended.

"I need a break ladies," Charli said standing up suddenly, she left and went into the room she and Sophie shared.

Charli found her Liverpool photos and stared at them sadly.

Maybe, just maybe...she thought after hearing Yesterday for the millionth time. Then something snapped.

"Fuck, stop being stupid Charli," she said to herself as she grabbed a shoe box from the shared closet. "He's probably forgotten all about you and it's time you do the same! It wasn't love."

She gathered the photos and letters, she reached for Rocky but decided to leave him where he was on her pillow. The rest of her memories, she tucked into the shoe box and set it under a pile of clothes on the top closet shelf angrily to never be looked at again.

"Hey, Charli," Sophie said as she entered the room "You okay? You seemed a little upset and I heard you swearing more than usual"

Sophie was Charli's age, she was small and while she seemed timid, she would put anyone in their place. She knew Charli's history with heroin which is when she did become timid, if she suspected Charli might use again. Sophie had lost her older brother to the drug only 2 years before and was terrified of anything to do with the drug. She pushed a strand of her brown hair behind her ear.

"I'm fine, Soph," Charli said "Just need to move on from something"

"Its The Beatles isn't it?" Sophie said, sitting on the bed. She and Charli shared a bed, she had moved into the flat the previous year after fleeing an abusive boyfriend, she was friends with Mina and Toni who asked Charli if she would mind sharing her room with her. Charli obliged, much as she liked her space, she felt sympathy for Sophie given her own history with abuse. Sophie, was interested in men and women, which is what got her into trouble with her ex-boyfriend and had developed feelings for Charli, which eased into a close friendship after Charli made it clear she didn't want a relationship...with anyone.

"What?" Charli laughed.

"I mean, I bet they remind you of your home in Liverpool," Sophie said.

"Oh..yeah, something like that" Charli said.

"Hey, you'll get back there someday," Sophie said. "For now, I'm glad we can cuddle when it's stormy. You know I hate storms"

Charli smiled slightly, then broke out into a wide grin.

"Fuck it!" She said, "Let's grab Eddie and Lily and go out!"

"Really?" Sophie said excitedly.

**

"Another round?" Charli called over the music, she was already drunk.

"Charli, it's fine" Lily shouted "I've got this one"

Lily left to order more drinks for his friends.

"Best idea you've had in weeks," Eddie laughed putting his arm around Charli.

"Too bad there's no cute guys...or girls..." Sophie said as she sipped her drink.

"Speak for yourself," Eddie said as he waved to a tall, thin red-haired man at the bar.

"Don't want ta' go fer the muscle-y one over there" Charli slurred.

"Ugh..no...gross" Eddie said as Charli and Sophie laughed.

The night pressed on, Charli was drinking another drink Lily had bought her. Eddie was chatting up the red-haired man he'd spotted across the room and Sophie was lost somewhere on the dance floor with Lily. Just as she was thinking she should find them she heard a voice next to her.

"Well, ain't you just about the prettiest thing I ever seen" a young sandy blonde haired man with a Southern drawl said as he stood next to her at the bar. He had blue eyes and wore a cowboy hat, he was definitely not from New York.

"Flattery is bollocks to these ears, mate," Charli said as she downed the last half of her drink.

"Golly! I never seen a lady drink like that," he said "Let me buy you another, miss"

"Yer not from here..." Charli slurred.

"'Fraid not, ma'am," she said tipping his hat "Texas. Born and Raised, names Brett"

He extended a hand. Charli shook it confused.

"Now, I'm not lettin' you go without another drink, I wouldn't be a gentleman" he smiled. He seemed so innocent to the world of New York.

Charli scoffed.

"And where are ya' from little lady," Brett asked.

"Liverpool," she said barely looking at him, her head was spinning from how much she'd had to drink and she didn't want this conversation.

"Golly! You're sure a long way from home" he said. Charli finished the drink he bought her.

"Look, I'm not one for words," Charli said, "Are we going to do this or not?"

It may have been the alcohol or the fact she'd had a dry spell for a long while, but she planned to get over Paul that night finally.

"Beg your pardon?" Brett asked confused and shocked at her forwardness.

"I'm catchin' a cab home," she said "If you want you can join, if not I'll figure something else out"

"Yes! Ma'am" he said enthusiastically.

"Don't call me ma'am," Charli snapped as she grabbed her coat and made for the door.

Once back at her apartment, she fumbled with the lock.

"Gosh!" Brett said as they stepped inside "What do y'all do here?"

He glanced around at the rhinestoned dress still on the couch, the musical instruments, canvases and the Lyra.

"Shh...you'll wake up Mina and Toni," Charli said leading him to her room. She wrote a quick note to tell Sophie she'd need the bed for the night, it was a system they'd worked out pretty quickly once they realised they'd be sharing the room.

"Are they your roommates," Brett asked.

"Some.." Charli said as she taped her note to the door before leading him into the room. Once inside, she kissed him hard.

"I don't think I've ever met a girl who's so forceful," he said through kisses. Charli removed her top.

"Gosh, you're pretty as a picture," he said before noticing the tattoos on her arm, she was removing her jeans as he noticed another on her leg. "Can't say that I've ever seen a girl with so many tattoos"

"Shut up," she said pushing him onto the bed.

**

"Fuck, I hope Charli found a way home," Eddie said as they drunkenly entered the flat.

"I'm sure she did, she's a smart girl," Lily said. Sophie stumbled toward her room and squinted at the note on the door.

Sophie,

The room is mine tonight.

I owe you breakie

Charli

Sophie giggled as she read.

"I'm homeless tonight, anyone mind taking in a stray?" she pouted.

"Aw, poor Sophie," Eddie said "You can stay with me tonight"

"Hope he's at least cute" Lily laughed as he made his way to his room laughing at Charli's exploits.

The next morning as the autumn sun shone through her window, Charli woke up groggily. She yawned, her head was killing her from the night before. She rolled over to face the window, she gasped seeing the sandy blonde haired cowboy from the bar still in her bed.

"Fuck me...what did I do? I thought he left" she whispered.

"Good morning, little lady," he said as he woke up "Last night was amazing"

"Yeah...amazing..." she said throwing on a pair of trousers and a t-shirt. "What are ya' still doing here?"

"I figure, we could get some brunch....I can't wait to tell my ma' and pa' about you" he said happily. Charli raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah...I don't think that's going to 'appen" she said rubbing her temples.

"Ok, so we won't have brunch," he smiled "But you'll come with me to Texas? I fly out in 3 days. I have to introduce you to my folks"

"Mate, we just had se--" she said before he interrupted.

"You were my first and only, I've always been raised to only make love to the woman you marry...we've rushed that a bit, but we can make it right by God if we get married," he said. Charli's stomach sank.

"Excuse me," she said "I need ta' use the loo"

Charli left her room, closing the door.

"Morning Charli," Lily called from the kitchen "How's your head?"

"Like shite," she said "Lily...I fucked up last night"

"You fucked someone" Lily laughed.

"Shut up," Charli said smacking his shoulder just as Eddie came out of the bathroom.

"Charli!" he said excitedly "Glad to see you're alive!"

"I wish I weren't right now lads," She said burying her head in her arms on the kitchen counter "I brought home a good little Southern Christian boy"

Lily nearly choked on his coffee as he tried to prevent a laugh.

"Oh?" Eddie said giggling "Do tell?"

"Mate, I was his first" she groaned. Both Eddie and Lily burst out laughing.

"Fuck, he wants me to come to Texas with him...meet his maw and paw....make it right by God....get married and shite..." Charli groaned"I was a right bitch to him all night, I haven't exactly been sweet this morning, but he doesn't seem to get it. How do I get rid of him?"

She sighed heavily before burying her head in her arms again.

Just then, Mina and Toni came out of their bedroom. Sophie was still asleep.

"What's going on?" Tony asked running a hand through her short hair and yawning.

"Charli accidentally brought home a virgin," Eddie said "a good Christian boy, wants to marry her, make an honest woman of her"

Mina started giggling.

"Sod off!" Charli groaned "Get me a bloody aspirin, or something to get rid of this bloody hangover and help me get rid of him or he'll bloody hang 'round until he leaves for Texas."

"Leave it to us," Lily grinned passing Charli 2 aspirin tablets and a glass of orange juice.

A few minutes later, Brett exited the room, fully dressed.

"Morning everyone," he said brightly "Y'all must be this little lady's roommates"

"That's us!" Eddie said shaking his hand amiably "I'm Eddie, This is Lily.. er...William and that's Toni and Mina"

"Pleasure to meet Y'all" he said before pausing "Toni and Mina? Wait, I thought you told me they were a couple"

He turned to Charli.

"We are," Mina said proudly. Brett's face went pale as he turned to Lily and Eddie. Lily put his arms around Eddie from behind.

"As are we," Lily said.

Brett turned to Charli.

"You didn't tell me you lived with a bunch of.." he leaned in closer and whispered the next word as if he were ashamed to say it.

"Homosexuals"

Charli shrugged, "You're in Greenwich Village, mate"

"Didn't she tell you?" Eddie said, "She sleeps with a girl most nights."

Brett's eyes went wide "I thought she was just your roommate??"

Just then Sophie sleepily entered the living area.

"Morning.." she yawned.

"Sophie!" Charli said jumping up from her stool at the kitchen counter. She rushed to Sophie putting her arms around her and kissing her cheek "I'm so sorry, it won't happen again"

"What?" Sophie said groggily as she blushed at Charli's kiss. "Play along," Charli whispered desperately.

"I know we had our sharing agreement and I didn't even ask you if it was okay last night, I'm so selfish luv, we should've shared him," Charli said. Sophie looked around and realised why she had to play along.

"Oh, right..." she said "I was pretty upset last night, but I forgive you"

She pushed a strand of Charli's hair behind her ear lovingly.

"I promise, I'll make it up to you tonight," Charli said. "Brett, would you be keen to join us tonight?"

They looked to Brett.

"Erm...I'm sorry, but I can't be around this sin!" He said nervously as he got up and left the apartment without hesitation.

Charli sighed in relief as her flatmates laughed at the situation.

"Sorry mates," Charli said embarrassed.

"Charli, that was fucking brilliant!" Mina said.

"I'm ok anytime you want to show that kind of affection" Sophie laughed.

"If I ever try picking up a guy when I'm drunk again..." Charli said

"I'm picking you up over my shoulder and carrying you out....don't think I won't" Lily finished.

"Only if you're in full drag" Charli grinned.

"It's a date!" Lily laughed before they enjoyed their breakfast.

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https://youtu.be/Xn599R0ZBwg

A/N:  Yay!  another update (working on the next chapter, which I'm excited to post).  This one, was way too much fun to write actually.  Its a bit sad at some points obviously, but I had to make each of them think the other didn't care.  But Charli's mistake at the end is hopefully a little entertaining ;)

Thanks for the reads, comments and votes!  It keeps me going guys, I've got a 3 day weekend and hopefully will have some downtime to read your stuff :)