John Imagine:

The school courtyard no longer existed. It was gone. The sound of students chatting about faded. The sun was no longer blinding you. The reality of where you were vanished.

Instead, you heard fireworks. Saw them. Felt the smoke. Smelled the burnt material. The moon appeared in crescent shape, glinting gentle white upon the darkened blue sky. The breeze was cool, calm, comforting. The smell of freshly mown grass mixed in with the exhilarating scent of shooting fireworks. Lord help you, you were loving every second of this.

You were in the Shire, and it was Bilbo Baggins' 111th birthday. Gandalf the Grey's fireworks were creating such a buzz. The Hobbits of the Shire were as happy and gentle creatures as can be. Frodo was grabbing a drink, Sam was dancing with the love of his life, Rosie, and Merry and Pippin were sneaking in the back, trying to smuggle one of Gandalf's wondrous fireworks.

"Y/N..."

You watched in excitement as Merry and Pippin ran across the field to set up.

"Y/N?"

But they would be in trouble, you realized with a smirk. Gandalf would catch them. He was smart. How could they think that they could get away with this?

"Y/N!"

You gasped and snapped your head up, dropping your book on the grass. You looked up to see your best friend, John, standing before you, an eyebrow arched in wonder. You groaned and ran a hand down your face.

"John, you made me lose my place!" you said irritably.

John chuckled and bent down to pick up your book. "I've been calling your name for five minutes," he said in amusement as he hand you the book. "You wouldn't answer me. What could possibly be more interesting than I, the great John Lennon?"

"Bilbo's birthday party," you grinned. "Merry and Pippin were being mischievous. I'd also like to know when Sam admits his feelings to Rosie."

"Tolkien's great and all," John shrugged as he began to walk you home. "But you've got to read Alice in Wonderland. That's-"

"Your favourite story, I know," you smiled. "And I have read it, in case you've forgotten."

"That's my girl!" he cheered. "You know, you're adorable when you're all caught up in your books. Even though you can't hear a word I say when you're reading."

"Most find it odd," you pointed out.

"What, that you like to read? How's that odd?"

"I don't know. Ask them."

"Who?"

"People."

John rolled his eyes but grinned. You waved goodbye to him once you reached your door and went inside to eat dinner.

***

You swung open your locker and eagerly grabbed the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. You couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. Frodo was about to embark on his journey with Sam to take the One Ring to Rivendell. What could possibly be more important than this?

You shut your locker and exited through the front doors to the courtyard to wait for John. Leaning against a tree, you opened the novel up to the page where you left off. Just as you opened it, however, a scrap of folded paper floated from the page and on to your feet.

With furrowed eyebrows, you bent down and picked up the little piece of paper and unfolded it. You found writing scrawled upon it, and you immediately recognized John's handwriting.

Go back a chapter to find more of these, love. I don't want to spoil anything for you.

Puzzled, you obeyed the instruction and flipped to the previous chapter. You spotted another scrap of paper.

"Have I gone mad?"
"I'm afraid so, but let me tell you something. The best people usually are."
- Alice in Wonderland

You grinned to yourself. So what if people thought you were odd for loving books? Maybe you were odd. Not that you minded. You turned to another chapter.

"You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how."
- Gone With the Wind

Another chapter... and a very heavy blush.

"You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought."
- The White Company

Your heart danced for a moment... like a flutter. Has that ever happened to you before? You went to the next chapter.

"I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life."
- Atonement

Loved you? What?

"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Y/N is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she...
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night."
- Romeo and Juliet

Were you reading this right...? You flipped to another chapter.

Y/N, I'm not sure how many more notes you need to read for you to understand that I bloody love you so much. I'm taking you out for drinks after school. What do you say, darling?
- John Lennon

"What do you say?"

You gasped and spun around. John stood behind you with a knowing smile and raised brow.

"I'm taking it as a yes considering your face is as red as a tomato," he chuckled.

You giggled and looked down to hide your face. But then, a hand cupped your chin and lifted your face back up. You were staring into the eyes of the boy you considered your best friend for years.

"Don't hide it, love," he whispered. "You're beautiful."

As you two were walking down the courtyard hand in hand, you glanced over at John and cheekily smiled.

"I cannot believe you quoted Romeo and Juliet," you laughed. "I thought you hated Shakespeare."

"I do," John chuckled along. "But Romeo has a way with words. He almost swept me off my feet as well."

You couldn't have laughed any harder.

Perhaps this would be the next chapter in your life...

Requested by @Kaitlin_W1212! I love this idea so much, so I really hope this was okay for you!