I let silence fill the space between John and me.

Pain was etched in every part of his face, even though he tried his best to hide it.

For the second time in the past few minutes, I reached out to John's hand. This time, he didn't pull away.

We stared at each other in silence for a couple of minutes until John finally broke this blissful moment.

"So, you're coming, right? Seven sharp. Paul's place."

When I told you that John could be stubborn...

The sparkles returned to his eyes, and his lips lit up with one of his famous grins.

"You already know the answer, John," I replied, doing my best to maintain a straight, serious face. But I could feel myself failing miserably; in just a couple of seconds, a smile would break free, and I would give in to his stubbornness.

He was like a little child, and all I wanted was to protect him and give him as much happiness as I could.

"I don't take no for a valid answer." John winked at me.

I shot him a look that I hoped was stern, but I failed.

"Just tell your parents that a girlfriend asked you to come over. Last-minute emergency to talk about some girl stuff. I don't know... something about studies or boys. Oh, even better! Tell them that your friend got pregnant and needs your advice on that!"

The grin on John's face widened. He looked so proud of his genius idea, while I felt utterly dismayed.

I buried my face in my hands, appalled at John's silliness.

Sometimes, I wondered where he was coming from. How on Earth could he be so proud of suggesting something so ridiculous?

"Lucy..." John called, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Look at me."

"I refuse to look at someone as stupid as you, John Winston Lennon," I said, my voice muffled.

"How am I stupid? Isn't it a great idea?"

It took me a few seconds before I finally looked him straight in the eyes. "Feeling smart now, aren't you?" I shot him a stern look this time. "So, you're suggesting I lie to my parents? With such a silly, unbelievable excuse?"

"But..." John began.

I cut him off, not giving him a chance to continue.

"And by the way, it's good to see you have such a high opinion of girls. For your information, Mr. Lennon, our lives don't just revolve around boys, menstruation, and pregnancies. You pervert."

John looked puzzled for a split second, clearly wondering if I was mad at him. Well, I wasn't entirely angry—just a little annoyed. He knew I didn't like lying to my parents.

I didn't remember ever telling a lie to them. I knew they had complete faith in me. They believed their daughter wouldn't do anything to betray them. Not out of fear, but simply out of love and respect. I understood the sacrifices they had made and the struggles they had endured to raise me into the person I had become over the years. My peaceful childhood, my education, my current position in a respected firm... I owed everything to them.

Breaking their trust would be easy; a single lie could do it. But I didn't want to take that risk.

John suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts. "I didn't mention menstruation, but now that you bring it up..."

"You can't always get what you want, John. So you'll have to accept my decision. No means no. Period."

"And that's because your parents aren't keen on you seeing us. Their daughter being friends with four boys is... oh my God. Shocking!"

John delivered the last part with a fake appalled expression, covering his mouth with his hand and raising his eyebrows, his voice pitched high.

"Stop it, you silly," I chuckled.

I only received silence from him in return.

I gave him a questioning look, waiting for him to start rambling again, but he remained quiet. Instead, his gaze turned surprisingly cold.

"John..." I called softly. "Say something."

"That's a fact, Lucy. Your parents aren't keen on us. I'm the one they dislike the most among the four of us."

"Come on, John. You know that's an exaggeration." I tried to dismiss his worries.

"It's not. I'm the bad boy who enjoys corrupting their darling daughter. Distracting her from her studies and work. Triggering her interest in this stupid music called rock 'n' roll. Preventing her from building a good, responsible life for herself."

My heart broke a little with each of John's words.

"That Lennon boy is no good for you, Divya," John suddenly said, using a high-pitched voice in a mock imitation of my mother.

Shivers ran down my spine at the sound of my Tamil name. I hadn't expected him to know it.

John continued, his voice now distant: "He's irreverent. Has no family. Doesn't even earn a proper living. Being a musician isn't a profession, you know."

He had dropped his Liverpudlian accent, dramatically rolling his "r"s to imitate how native Ceylonese people spoke English.

"And above all, that Lennon boy is English," John added, making a strange face.

I shook my head in sadness. I couldn't find his words funny; they were sadly true.

"John... I wish my parents could see you the way I see you." My voice was now a mere whisper. "You're such an amazing person. I'm so grateful to have you as my friend."

I wasn't brave enough to look at John anymore, fearing he would see the tears glistening in my eyes.

"Love..." I felt John's gentle touch on my shoulder. "Don't worry about this, alright? I'm sorry I even brought it up. It's just... I wish your parents could appreciate me at least a little more... But I guess I should be glad that they're cordial with me."

"It will change, John. I promise. They'll see the true person you are."

It took all my strength to finally raise my eyes to John. Tears rolled freely down my cheeks, but it didn't matter to me.

"Hey, you're crying!"

Pure shock appeared on John's face as he saw my tears.

"Oh God... I'm so sorry, Lucy. I didn't want to—"

"Shh... It's okay, Johnny boy."

I tried to give him a reassuring smile, hoping to calm his worries. "I don't mind shedding a few tears for my best friend."

"Your best friend..." John repeated, seemingly taken aback by my words.

I nodded, my smile broadening.

"I've never seen you cry, Lucy. Let alone cry for me... You daft."

"Watch your words, Lennon." I playfully hit John's shoulder. "Don't you dare speak ill of my best friend."

I hoped to lighten John's mood a little, but I had failed.

He wasn't smiling anymore. He stared at me intently.

"I'm serious, Lucy... Nobody has ever cried for me, you know. Am I... am I that important to you?"

I fought back the urge to cry harder. A lump formed in my throat.

I hadn't expected my tears to leave John so shaken. I could slap myself for putting him in such an emotional state.

"What do you think, you fool?" I said, forcing my voice to sound as cheerful as possible. "Of course, you're important to me."

What John did next completely surprised me. He reached out and gently wiped my tears away.

"Your makeup is ruined, beautiful girl." A soft smile brightened his lips.

"I don't care," I replied, smiling back at him.

Seeing him smile again made my heart flutter.

"Who cares if my parents don't value you for the person you are, John? Does it really matter?" I whispered.

"No... As long as you're stuck with me, Lucy, I don't care about anything else."