Monday the 6th of October 1958

I brought my icy fingers to my lips and blew on them — a hopeless attempt to warm them from the cold that failed helplessly. I knew that I had been standing in the same position a little too long, people passing by sent me strange looks but perhaps in another day decades later they would understand my bewilderment.

Penny Lane.

The joyous tune rang through my mind but I was ebbing with a newfound emotion. It was raw and profound, snagging deep at my heart. A grin stretched upon my lips. Then once I recalled of why I was actually here my smile fell and my brown eyes grew glossy. I was here to get a job.

Jim McCartney conceived it quite well but I had begun to notice that even he was wondering when I was going to leave. Money was such an issue in this time and day. It was little things I had noticed about this time period that stood out to me — every plate ate the McCartney household was scraped clean with every meal, the inability to waste anything and to make the most out of everything. It made me see how my presence and dependence on the family weighed them down even more than it would have been if I had never ended up in this crazy trip to the past.

But they seemed to understand that I had nowhere else to go.

There was a time where I overheard the hushed voices of Jim softly informing Paul that I'd have to move on soon. I could hear the sudden horror at the thought and brimming anger in his voice when he told his father an outraged 'No!' and a slammed door in response.

I had crashed into Paul that moment and I could see it within his hazel eyes that I realised perhaps I had meant just as much — no probably not — as he did to me. But the thought that Paul cared about me was both horrifying and surprisingly welcomed, even if perhaps at times I being so reckless.

As the days ticked by I could feel the wavering need to be back home — even Paul's company couldn't diminish that long and ancient ache the crashed down on me each day like some avalanche. Even more and more I had begun to feel out of place — a literal sheep amongst wolves. There are differences that I had noticed within my attitude that seemed to baffle Paul — although it was probably just my stubbornness and unwavering independence. I think that I was the opposite of what was deemed traditional in these times.

It had only been six days. It truly baffled me sometimes. It felt like a whole century had passed than just six days. I felt like I had aged so much too. I felt a hundred and seventy rather than simply just sixteen.

I had tried to relish each moment and every moment, forcing each memory to concrete in my mind. I couldn't forget this, even if it was conflicting at times if I had actually somehow magically transported myself to the past or if I was having an extremely vivid dream but even now I had sided against that possibility. This was real. I knew in my bones, in my very heart and soul that it was.

A double-decker bus sailed past, the very sound of it pulling me back to earth and back to reality and out of my detailed daydream. I moved slowly and unsure of exactly where I was heading to. I had seen ads in the paper but alas nothing really tickled my fancy or had really been appropriate.

I hurried along now, I had to get a job and then complete the food shopping — Jim trusted me enough with the responsibility of it, somehow.

Penny Lane Cakes.

I paused in front of the building. It seemed old fashioned with the painted swirled writing swirled against the glass. It seemed promising. The bell on the door jingled when I entered, hit with the wavering smell of baked bread and other goodies I couldn't name. I smothered down my hair with my fingers, trying to fix it. Despite the careful placement of hair curlers, I never seemed to master the art. I just hoped that I looked presentable and promising in my best clothes.

"You right deary?" Asked a greying haired woman with kind grey-blue eyes.

I could feel my palms sweat and I forced a smile despite my growing nerves. I blinked for a moment too long and I took a couple of steps forwards toward the long horizontal counter on my left.

"Hi," I squeaked then I forced composure and poise to both my expression and posture. "Hello. I'm Dasiy Twist. I saw the ad in the paper that you were hiring. I was wondering if there is still an opportunity for myself to gain an. . . interview?"

The woman narrowed her eyes at me, "How old are yer?"

"Sixteen," I said without a beat and a nervous grin. Maybe I should have said I was older?

The woman's eyebrows knitted together before she made a tsk tsk sound, "Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"I don't go to school," I admitted with a soft smile before continuing, "I need a job and I was hoping it could be here."

I winced at my words —— that was far too forward.

"Ah, I assume that accent has something to do with that, aye?"

I nodded too enthusiastically without realising, "Yes. Exactly. Spot on!"

Suddenly her expression grew to be apologetic and my stomach plummeted, it was a really bad sign, "I'm sorry Miss Swiss but I need a strong hand of a man. I'm not as young as I once was and neither is my Arthur."

I nodded in understanding, silent and unable to correct the woman that my fake last name was actually 'Twist.' Suddenly, an idea sparked to mind and there was nothing I could do as the words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them, "I understand. . . but perhaps I could go on some sort of trail. I'll work for free and all that. I assure you that I am a quick learner. Please just one day, even a couple of hours. I can do it."

The greying haired woman looked at me for a long moment before she nodded, her eyes filled with pity and sympathy, "You have a day. I cannot confirm anything Miss Swiss as my Arthur decides who we hire but ya might have a chance –– come along now there is no time to waste."

I beamed, unable to deny how my heart filled with hope and walked forwards through the lifted slab of wood that enabled the worker's easy access to serve customers at the tables without going around the back.

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There was a bounce in my step with an indescribable joy that filled my heart. A part of me couldn't believe it. I had a job. I had actually managed to convince the greying haired woman, Alice —— Mrs Parker and her husband Arthur –– Mr Parker, to allow me to have the job even if there was slight reluctance from the old man. I would work from Monday's to Saturday as Sunday was the rest day when they closed shop. For the what I'd think about the sixth time since I had come here, I considered myself lucky.

I leant against the black as night spear top railed fence of the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys with a jittery impatient tap of my foot. I starred at the beige stone coloured building and stone pillars, my gaze fixated on the front doors. Paul couldn't be that much longer.

Although, I couldn't be sure even when I tried to work the math in my head of how long he would be but failing. One, math and I did not get along, no matter how much I cried and studied and two, Paul could have ditched or something along those lines. I would just be a literal fool standing here looking more out of place than ever before.

I snorted at my theatrics. Why did I automatically think of myself standing on a hill in a trenchcoat, prancing around as Paul had done for a fool on the hill in the magical mystery tour film years from now?

The doors flooded open, loud voices snapping me out of my thoughts. I stood straight and narrowed my eyes trying to spot Paul out of the sea of boys in blazers and cute little caps bounding down the stairs and onto the pathway so happy at the thought of freedom.

"Now, may I ask what a pretty lass like ya are doing here?" His voice was familiar and I smiled when I turned to face him with his cap tucked under his arm and his stupid smirk dancing across his lips.

Paul.

How on earth did he find me or see me for that matter? It would have been impossible, but maybe not that impossible because he found me and that was probably a miracle in itself. 

My reaction was late but I wrinkled my nose at his compliment before I met his hazel gaze with a shrug of my shoulders, hoping that I would not blush, "Can't a girl visit her good mate?"

Paul arched a brow at me and I huffed throwing my arms in exaggeration as people swerved around us looking at us with curious stares, "Best mates then?"

He smiled my favourite at that and I could feel my stomach flutter and ooze with butterflies. "Gear," Was all he said before swinging his book bag over his shoulder and slung his arm around my shoulders despite my confused expression, leading us along the pavement.

"Tell me, Dasiy," Paul started in deep thought, "What'd ya say we go out? Together? Me and––"

"Macca!" Another voice rang out, stopping us both in our tracks, it belonged to no other than George Harrison. All I could think about was what was Paul implying just mere seconds ago? I almost felt dizzy for two very distinct reasons.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Paul's face scrunch up into one of annoyance before he removed his arm from my shoulder and turned to face the younger boy.

"Hi, George!" I said with a friendly wave as he bounded towards the two of us.

"Evenin' Dasiy," George replied with his signature pearly grin that showed his canines.

"Hazza," Paul started with a grin, battling his eyes long lashes I was very jealous of in some sort of code. George's face scrunched up at it and I tried to reign in what they both meant.

"I was just sayin' that the bus is this way. Not that way. Anyways, whatcha doin' here Dasiy?"

Paul sent George a look that could kill but they both didn't seem to notice that I had and magically Paul noticed that and he sent me a sickly sweet smile.

"Well, I finally got a job and did the food shopping took it home and then I was like why not come here and see the school you two go too. It's quite impressive by the way, you have stone pillar thingies." George cracked a wide grin at the last part of my little speech.

"When did ya exactly get a job?" Paul asked, his voice laced with confusion and almost slight hurt that I didn't really pick on.

"About a couple of hours ago? Yeah? I'd say about then," I said with a smile. George looked like he was about to laugh but was scarcely able to hold it in.

"Where?" Paul asked, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets, his gaze serious and almost in a way demanding.

"At a bakery. . . ," I said with a proud smile as George clapped me on the back in congratulations. This seemed to aggravate Paul. I smiled trying to make his expression soften a bit, before continuing, "At Peny Lane Cakes in Penny Lane!"

George smiled mischievously at me, "Free food for your best mate in the whole wide world?"

"No!" I protested, folding my arms across my chest, "It too important just to risk it just for your stomach, Georgie."

George shuffled his feet on the pavement in disappointment, but I knew he understood.

"Why didn't ya tell me about this before? I would have helped ya," Paul said, stuffing his school cap into his pocket and folding his arms over his chest.

"I didn't want to be annoying. I annoy you enough already," I confessed softly, in a slightly awkward manner as George seemed to grow uncomfortable.

Paul laughed, shocking me as I thought he'd have some sort of angry outburst like the time I sat with George on the bus and fell asleep, "Pfft. Daisy Twist annoying? That title goes to George here. He followed John and Cyn on their dates because he wanted to join the band. It drove poor Lenny mad."

I laughed but George was quick to defend himself as he sent Paul a glare that could kill as I assumed he probably didn't like that information revealed, "Well it worked Paul. I am in the band."

Paul shrugged his shoulders at George. I smiled in disbelief at George because it was funny too imagine before adding, "I suppose I make a real good runners up?"

There was a hauntingly familiar smile on his face and it made me realise so much to my disgust and my secret delight that there was this growing possibility that Paul liked having me around.

"Alright. . . ," George concluded with a forced smile as he raised his hands almost in surrender, his gaze directed at Paul, "I'm off. Bye lovebirds."

Lovebirds? No. But it was possible that George was just teasing. Maybe he knew that I was growing to like –– No. I couldn't let myself get swept away by my thoughts. I made a face of distraught and turned to Paul, unable to deny how easy it was to drown in his gaze which caused my face to fall blank.

He raised an eyebrow, catching me starring at him, despite that he was starring back and I blushed a deep crimson. I started walking, pushing my feet along the pavement in a rush as my heartbeat raced whilst Paul rushed to catch up with me.

"Now," I began, "May I ask are why we going the opposite direction to George?" I asked.

Paul smiled widely, his arm curling back around my shoulders, "I wanted to spend time with my best girl."

I laughed at that, shaking my head in disbelief, "I'm flattered but you're being very weird."

"Weird?" He scoffed with a roll of his eyes to empathise his point to prove I was looking into things to much, "I am not being weird."

"I know you better than you think," I said with a knowing smirk and a slight laugh, "Let me guess, you were showing off in front of all those boys back there? I understand what it's like to want to fit in but I don't appreciate this when it's all fake."

I gently removed his arm from my shoulders and took half a step sideways so there was more space between us.

"Daisy," He protested, his voice gentle and soothing, "I wasn't faking. I would never fake anything with ye."

I could feel my eyebrows knit together, "Paul. I'm like not those birds. I won't fall to the whims Paul McCharmly. Things are different, well mostly, where I am from. I don't want to shag you."

He laughed, I mean really laughed and his reaction almost hurt my feelings, "Ya think I want to shag ye?!"

I blushed so much worse than ever before, so embarrassed I wanted to fade away into dust, "W-Well not exactly, but I know what those boys are like. And you're friends with John Lennon. And I know that it's some sort of game or possibly something along those lines. But I could be just paranoid or something. . ."

His hazel gaze was thoughtful and riddled with a pleading for me to trust him, I almost gave in. I was almost upset with myself. He was just a normal teenager in the 50s now but I knew what happened in the earlyish Beatles years.

Yes, it was almost understandable, he had the world at his feet and women threw themselves at him and he was a man. It would be difficult to resist those sorts of temptations as everyone in the whole world –– especially at that time –– wanted a piece of him. Things changed when he met Linda. . . But I couldn't have this sort of hurt. I couldn't care for him like that. And who would know what I could change? It would be a miracle that everything was the same with minimal effects now —— that I was even here.

I was an idiot though to come to such conclusions, he probably was like this with every girl to ever walk the planet –– I was foolish to think that I was different or special. He was probably right. Nevertheless, I shouldn't let anything stand in my judgement before knowing him well enough. He seemed to soften even more and he confessed, choosing his words carefully, with fingers shoved into his pockets, "I feel protective of ya, Daisy. I knew ya first –– I don't want ya to get hurt."

I wrapped my arms around my torso as if I could hold together how my heart warmed, "That's very s-sweet and, um, uh, considerate but I don't think you could stop something like that Paul. Suffering and pain are apart of life. It helps us grow into who we are meant to be. . . I am so cilchè, ugh! I'm really sorry I shouldn't have come to such a quick judgement about those things."

He shook his head in with a smile and shrugged, "I would shag ya though, that was good judgment on your behalf."

I could feel my mouth fall open before I hit his arm and he hissed with pain and it was a while before he spoke again, "I wouldn't say anything Dasiy. Ya think I am pretty remember?"

"I didn't and that was out of the pure kindness of my heart," I snapped harshly, refusing to meet his gaze and to focus on the pavement.

"Ah, so ye want to shag me?" Paul asked with wringing eyebrows once I had found courage to meet his eyes. I rolled my eyes before I hit him much harder on the shoulder this time.

"Alright, Dasiy! That hurt! I get the picture. Ye the sort of bird who needs a date first."

I sent him a look before he mumbled, "Numerous dates first. Got it."

I sighed, rubbing my fingers into my forehead, "Paul, let's just drop the whole shagging conversation."

"Wait?! Ye must have a boyfriend!" He guessed coming to conclusions. I grew confused. Maybe this was his way of handling my constant distance and putting him down, well sort of.

"What?! No! Boys don't ever seem to like me when I like them back. I'm not one of those girls who they all seem to like anyways––"

"I like you and I'm a boy," He grinned with a playful wink.

"Thank you. . .but what I mean is that I don't talk to them, partly because I get all shy and . . . but most importantly I want something real in a world full of fakeness and it's stupid to look for it when there's nothing out there but stupid hookup culture."

He was quiet for a few long moments before he spoke, "That is terribly sad."

"I know," I said with a soft smile.

There was a strange look in his hazel eyes, one that I had never seen within them. It brought newfound curiosity and a hundred questions as I got lost in his gaze for what was probably the hundred thousandth time. The questions were washed quickly from my mind when his warm and calloused fingers brushed mine and subtly in a smooth manner were intertwined with my own. And I could hardly breathe as my heartbeat grew to be as fast as a hummingbirds wings.

It was clear possibly to much than before that I was utterly doomed.

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author's note: i'm sorry that this chapter is so cheesy (i cringed numerous times and rewrote this chapter twice lol) and that i also haven't updated in forever — i got a bit sick so it really delayed my update of this chapter but i'm better now. the chapters i've got planned should be pretty good because the story is really starting to develop and finally get somewhere!