Sweetest Little Show - Paul McCartney Fanfiction

Chapter 18 - What Hid Behind Her Eyes

WARNING : The following chapter may be triggering to certain people. If you are sensitive to talk of sexual harassment and/or abuse, I recommend you skip this chapter. There is a summary provided at the end if you still would like to know what happened in Jackie's past.

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November 2nd, 1958

In the middle of the cold night, I suddenly woke up. The feeling of cool, cold pavement rubbed against my arms as I moved my arms. My hips ached. My whole body did. But my hips stood out in pain. That was until a sharp burn rushed through me as I touched my cheeks, which felt sticky from tears.

Then I remembered what happened.

My chest quickly moved up and down as I felt a pang in my chest. Soon, I started wailing as I stood up, leaning against the dumpster. The memories hit me hard, and it made me start curling up into a ball as I cried.

There was a feeling of shame and embarrassment. How was I even supposed to feel about this? Who could I tell? How could I face people knowing that this has happened?

My mother was the first person who came to mind. She would probably scold me for being out so late. I didn't know what I'd say to her. Would she believe me? Maybe my brother, but he would go on a rampage and kill any fella that he found suspicious. Dad would do that same, threatening everyone. He wouldn't come home until he found that asshole who did this, and when he did, he'd have nothing but blood on his hands. But would they even believe me in the first place?

And then I thought of Ringo. In all honestly, I had no idea what he would do. He was older than me by 4 years -18 years old, he was- and kind of like an older brother to me. Still, I needed someone to talk to. He'd listen no matter what.

I found a payphone, dialing his number and praying he'd pick up. I also prayed there wouldn't be another guy like the one I had encountered. It was disgusting and terrifying.

"Hello this is Richard-"

"R-R-Ringo!" I said, trying to hold back a sob. But of course, he knew me all too well.

"Where are you? I'll pick you up," Ringo asked. As soon as I told him, he hung up, ready to come look for me.

I curled into a ball by the wall of the shop and just cried, not caring how I looked. Why me? Why did it have to happen to me? I had done everything right in this world. God knew I was always at church, praying, and being good to people in the outside world.

It was like my life was just over. Nothing was worth anything no more. There was no point in trying to be a good person if I was punished like this. It hurt so bad I was ready to just leave the world already. How could I ever live with this memory?

As a hand came to my shoulder, I flinched and let out a sound of fear. I shut my eyes tightly, just not wanting to look at who it was that wanted my attention as I feared that they would see the sin that had been committed.

"It's just me," I heard Ringo's familiar and deep voice say.

My bottom lip trembled as I slowly looked at him, feeling so ashamed to meet his eyes. Even though I knew that this couldn't have been my fault, I still couldn't help but blame myself for not being careful.

"Come on, Jackie. Stay at mine tonight, I'll look after you."

We walked to his house, his protective arm around mine as I had my whole body huddled together, shut off from anyone. He was the only one I wanted to trust in this moment.