hello little girl // p.m. (beatles au)

- O N E -

- october 1982 -

"Um, excuse me? Excuse me..."

It was just another average day at McCartney's Pizzeria in downtown Liverpool. Business was as usual, customers remained satisfied, but Mr. Paul McCartney, the owner of the shop, still remained grumpy. Why he was so grumpy was an answer only known to far and few, and those who did know inferred by themselves that they should not discuss his conflict to anyone else.

Little did he know, he'd meet one little girl that day who'd change his life forever.

***

"Excuse me?" seventeen-year-old Daniela asked for a final time. Her nerves were wracking, but she had to do this. She needed to find a job to support her family.

Everyone in the hot, busy kitchen still ignored her. One girl who looked a couple years older than her shot her a dirty look as she carried a pie out to the dining area. Daniela knew she didn't belong, and probably never would -- but being an outcast was better than being homeless any day.

However, she still began to shake and panic. She knew how disappointed her parents would be if she came home that evening without a job, so she tried to suck it up and kept being persistent.

She attempted to talk to one of the nicer looking workers again. "Hello, um..."

Plonk! Splat!

Daniela was startled by the sound of a pan falling onto the floor, and she turned around to see a fresh pizza splattered all over the ground with a person standing in front of it.

"Goddamnit," he said, looking down at the soiled pie, "ever heard of watching where you're going?"

Daniela covered her mouth in panic. "I-I'm sorry, I'll help you clean i-"

Mr. McCartney relaxed his facial expression a bit when he realized a little angel was standing in front of him. Looking helpless, scared, and genuinely sorry. And last, but not least, absolutely adorable and beautiful. He almost found himself mesmerized by the way she bit her plump, bottom lip and looked up with him with big, glassy brown eyes.

Mr. McCartney let his eyes trail back to the mess in front of the two.

"It's fine, I'll get it," he grumbled to himself, walking to the back of the room.

Not wanting to cause any more trouble, Daniela walked over towards the corner of the room. She watched as the other workers tried to step over and maneuver around the mess she had made, already feeling like she was off to a bad start.

Suddenly, the door Mr. McCartney had stepped through before swung open again abruptly. Mr. McCartney reentered the kitchen with a mop and bucket, approaching the soiled pie quickly, but still keeping his eyes on Daniela.

"Jules, can you fix up another small pepperoni?" he shouted to the back, his eyes still fixated on the young girl.

"Got it," another voice echoed.

Daniela blushed and looked down at the floor, not wanting to embarrass herself any more by making awkward eye contact with her potential, future boss. She didn't want to make herself seem more unprofessional than she already did.

Finally, a worker nice enough to pay attention to her in a good way approached her and gave her a tap on the shoulder.

"What do you need help with?" he asked.

"Um, I'm looking for a job here," Daniela replied.

"I got her, Jules," Mr. McCartney yelled. The other worker flashed a smile at Daniela then walked away, and Mr. McCartney finished up his cleaning. He then pushed the mop and bucket to the side, put down a "wet floor" sign, then walked over towards Daniela.