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“I don’t know what’s going on with him!”
Paul exclaimed, gripping his mug a bit tighter. Ringo, who had been woken up by Paul’s noise, sighed. “Paul, you have to talk to him.” He shot a glance at the hotel room Paul and John shared, it was at the end of the hallway covered in darkness. “Can’t we just switch Rings..? Roommates I mean..?” Ringo scoffed “No offense, but I ain't sleeping with John if he keeps talking in his sleep like that.” he shuddered and whispered “It's bloody creepy!”
Paul nodded reluctantly, his eyes narrowed at the clock, his eyes still adjusting to the dark. “It’s 2:34 AM god dammit, we have a gig tomorrow! If John doesn’t shut up I'll..!” “Let’s just.. try to sleep okay?” Ringo shushed “Promise me you’ll talk to him tomorrow.” Paul nodded reluctantly as Ringo stood up, and slowly stepped his way towards his own room he shared with George.
Paul’s eyes scanned his room over the rim of his mug. He could make out John's rather peaceful figure, and.. What in the bloody hell was that? He squinted his eyes at the small movement in the corner of their room. He blinked a few times, but the figure that seemed to be looming in that corner, did not disappear. He put down his mug, and managed to utter a few whispered words. “John..? S’that you..?”
He knew it wasn’t bloody John, it couldn’t be Richie or George, then who..? He took a deep breath and finally managed to push himself off the countertop. As Paul began to take a few steps closer, he could make out the figure more and more. His heart was beating so fast he could swear it would jump out of his throat at any moment. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he reached the doorstep. His trembling fingers slowly landed on the lightswitch..
Nothing.
The central light illuminated the room, and the figure had seemed to just.. disappear. Paul’s eyes flicked around the room, not daring to move. He stood there for a few minutes before John turned around, eyes narrowed. “Bloody ‘ell Macca, what’s up with the lights!” He exclaimed as he covered his eyes rather dramatically. “You’re blindin’ me for fucks sake!” Paul’s guard seemed to lower a bit, uttering a small ‘sorry’. John’s face turned a bit more serious when Paul still didn’t move, and the lights were still on. “Hello? Earth to Paul!”
Paul blinked, breathing a nervous laugh. “Yeah yeah.. Have you.. Uh..” Paul scratched the back of his neck. “Have you seen any candles around here?” John raised an eyebrow. “There are some on the coffee table i think? What, you need a night light now?” He grinned, but that soon got replaced with a rather serious expression as Paul disappeared into the hallway and later returned with said candle and matchsticks. He watched as Paul lit it, and finally flicked off the lights. His eyes scanning the room nervously as he put the lit candle down on the nightstand. John spoke again when Paul seemed to have settled a bit. “What’s all this about Macca?” Paul turned towards him. “We need to talk tomorrow.” His eyes met John’s. “I’m serious.”
“..Wake up…Paul…Paul…Wake up..”
That morning Paul woke up in a cold sweat. His eyes darted around the room, as the figure from the previous night cossed his mind. A nightmare, it must’ve all just been a stupid nightmare. But it felt so real.. He sighed and turned towards John, who had his back turned towards him. He was mumbling something again.
“Shut up.. shut up..”
Paul’s eyes softened as he scooted a bit closer, gently putting a hand on John's shoulder. Suddenly, a firm grasp met his wrist as John jolted awake. “John- John it’s me! It's just me!” Paul practically screamed as he tried to yank his hand away. John’s grip softened a bit as he turned around, wide eyed. “Jesus don’t wake me up like that!” John let go of Paul’s wrist and sighed. “You spooked me.”
“What is up with you lately?” Paul examined John’s face. “What’s up with me?” John uttered. “Nothing- nothing’s up with me!” He sat up straight, trying to compose himself as much as possible. ”New record s'been stressing me out, that’s all.” After a few seconds of silence, Paul spoke again.
“There was someone in here last night.” John’s eyes widened for just a split second, before he scoffed. “What are you talking about Macca..” “John I'm serious, there was a tall figure just.. standing over there.” John’s eyes followed the direction Paul had gestured at, it was his corner of the room. “Well what did he look like then?.” John grinned “Was it the ghost of Buddy Holly?” Paul furrowed his eyebrows.
“He looked like you, John.”
