I thought that Max needed a girl of his own.

So, basically, same story, new character.

But it will probably be mostly from this character’s point of view/Max’s. Maybe. I’m not sure.

No MarySue intended, but I’m not promising anything.

Disclaimer: I do not Across the Universe, or any of the songs. Thank you Lennon, McCartney, Starr, and Harrison. Pure geniuses.

Starts right after Max and Jude arrive in New York, starting to move into Sadie’s place.

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Chapter One: Meeting Ellie

Jude eagerly walked into his new bedroom. He couldn’t believe his luck so far. Three months into the country and he inherits a rambunctious best friend, the possibility of a having his beautiful sister as more than a friend, a comfortable little flat in New York, and a sexy landlady.

“This place rocks, man!” Jude said as he surveyed the room. Max followed in behind, and rested an arm on Jude’s shoulder.

“No kidding…hey, let’s check out our bathroom. See if Sadie wasn’t kidding about no mirror.”

The two laughed and Jude followed Max into the bathroom.

The second Max poked his head into room, there was a loud, piercing scream. Max chuckled and slowly walked in. Jude cautiously followed behind, only to see a pretty black girl standing in the shower, which apparently remained uncovered, and attempting to cover herself with a thin towel she had hastily picked up off the floor.

“Who might you be?” Max asked tactfully.

She gave him a look that could’ve melted his face off.

“You’re asking me who I am…seriously? YOU are asking ME who I am? When you’re the one who can’t even knock on the fucking door? Are you deaf? Could you not hear the water running?”

“Whoa! I just wanted to know your name!” He stuck out his lip and looked at her pitifully with his striking blue eyes.

“Ellie. Eleanor,” she answered coldly.

“Well, Eleanor, I’m Max. This is Jude,” Max patted Jude on the back. “We’re your new roommates.”

She only nodded a little bit. An awkward silence insinuated until Max briefly glanced about the room.

“So, no mirror…or shower curtain, huh?”

“Do you mind?” she interrupted, clearly exasperated and placing a wet hand on her hip.

Max held up both his hands in mock surrender. “No! No…not at all. Resume your shower!”

Both of the boys snuck out. As soon as Max shut the door, they both burst into snickers. Max collapsed onto one of the beds in the room, and stretched out comfortably.

“Man, this is the LIFE. We’re in the best city in the world, we meet two smokin’ hot chicks, we get to see one of them naked…could life be any sweeter?”

Jude chuckled in agreement. Sadie then sauntered in, smiling brightly at the two boys.

“So you’ve settled in! Great! I just wanted to let you know I’m singing at Joe’s Club tonight. You up for it?”

“Of course!”

“Sweet. Could you let Ellie know, too? You met her, right?”

Max and Jude exchanged amused glances.

“We met her, alright…” Jude mumbled.

“Good. Well, I’ll see you boys later!”

Insert line here!

Sadie’s band turned out be better than either of the boys expected. This was the 60s! Typical, naïve, talentless dreamers moved to New York every day to make a name for themselves. But Sadie…Sadie had a voice like no other.

Max sat, beer in hand, front and center of the stage, feet resting on top of the table. Glancing around, he noticed Ellie sitting all by herself over at the bar. He figured the least he could do was make it up to her from earlier today, so he got up from the table and walked over to the bar.

Max ordered another beer and casually slid it down towards her, where she finally looked up at the new, frosty beer in front of her. He pulled up a stool and sat down next to her.

“Hey…”

Ellie looked curiously at him, wondering whether she should smile or flip him

off. She decided she could remain neutral at least.

“Hey.”

“Why are you over here all by yourself?”

“I dunno…because I have been since I moved here…I only know Sadie.”

“So? You don’t seem like that kind of girl.”

She gave him a trace of a rueful smile. “You see me naked in the shower, and suddenly, you know what kind of girl I am?”

“Well…no…but…I want to know what kind of girl you are.”

Neither of them said anything for a minute. The beer both of them had remained untouched.

Max finally sighed. “Let’s at least start over.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Max, and sorry about earlier.”

Ellie looked at his hand for a moment, then slowly extended hers to shake it. “Ellie. And whatever, it’s not a big deal. Just don’t call me Eleanor ever again. The only person who calls me that is my lovely, cookie-cutter perfect family.”

Max chuckled then gave her a little nod as he sat back down at his own table.

Although Sadie’s voice filled the little bar, Max couldn’t help but hear another song playing in his head.

I’ve just seen a face.

I can’t forget the time or place where we just met.

She’s just the girl for me and I want all the world to see we’ve met.

Mmmmm…

Had it been another day, I might have looked the other way, and I’d have never been aware, but as it is, I’ll dream of her tonight.

Di-di-di-di-di.

Falling, yes I am falling, and she keeps calling me back again.

I have never known the like of this.

I’ve been alone and I have missed things and kept out of sight.

But other girls were never quite like this, mmmm.

Falling, yes I am falling, and she keeps calling me back again.

--

Ok.

So this wasn’t the best chapter in the world.

It’ll get better, I swear.

I was having some major writer’s block issues.

REVIEW!...but be nice.

It’s not my best.